s 



""hints to homeseekers 



A BOOK OF 

AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNIT 



W, J, GEIB 




Glass _S_4-4J_ 

Book lO^ 

Copyright l\" . 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



HINTS TO HOMESEEKERS 



A HANDBOOK OF 



AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES 



PREPAKED BY 

W. J. GEIB, B.S. 

Scientist in Bureau Soils, U. S. Dept Agr. 



MADISON, WIS. 

STATE JOURNAL PRINTING COMPANY, 
1913. 



A^ 



4\* 



Copyright, 1913 

BY 

W. J. GEIB 



©CI.A350158 



INTRODUCTION. 

During the past two decades there has been a more rapid 
movement from the older established communities into the 
newly developing sections of the United States and Canada 
than during any previous period of equal length. For various 
reasons many farmers have left their old home surroundings 
and have established new homes in sections where land values 
are lower, but where opportunities for higher development are 
promising. Thousands of people in the cities and towns have 
become land hungry and the ''back to the land" movement has 
assumed considerable proportions. People in the various pro- 
fessions and in practically all walks of life are today giving 
more thought and consideration to the question of securing 
their living, in part at least, directly from the soil, than ever 
before in the history of our country. 

It is our object to analyze very briefly a few of the conditions 
surrounding this movement and to inquire into some of the rea- 
sons why the feeling of imrest and the germ of discontent has 
taken hold of so many people. 

It is also our aim to give such information, concerning the 
agricultural and soil conditions in the United States and West- 
ern Canada, as will assist those desiring a change, in selecting 
locations in which to establish permanent farm hv,mes, and to 
point out other reliable sources of information which should be 
drawn upon freely. The country is flooded every year with 
highly colored literature advertising farm lands, colonization 
propositions and all sorts of real estate schemes in all parts of 
the country. Much of the information given out in this way is 
misleading to say the least, and a large number of people are 
influenced to buy a farm in some "land of promise," whereas 



iv • Inh-odnciion. 

if they were thoroughly familiar with the actual conditions 
their decision might be quite different. If onl}' reliable infor- 
mation concerning farm lands could be circulated, thousands 
upon thousands of dollars would be saved annually by those 
who are often sadly in need of the money, but who are sincere 
in their desire for a farm home. 

There is an increasing demand at the present time for such 
information as will assist a prospective purchaser in selecting 
land in any part of the country to which he might wish to go. 
Most of the literature now in circulation on the subject deals 
chiefly with some particular region or state and very frequently 
a broader general knowledge is desired before specific localities 
are selected for more detail study. The volume here presented 
is designed to assist in answering this call and to aid in guid- 
ing land and homeseekers by pointing out some of the agri- 
cultural opportunities offered in various localities. 

It is recognized that the effort put forth here is crude and 
that defects are numerous, yet it is believed that the work is 
of sufficient value to justify its publication. It is the plan to 
revise this edition as soon as sufficient data can be collected, 
and enlarge its scope to include more detailed information con- 
cerning all portions of the United States and Western Canada. 

The author takes this opportunity of acknowledging the val- 
uable assistance rendered by the United States Department of 
Agriculture in permitting the use of data collected and pub- 
lished by various Bureaus. The work done by the Bureau of 
Soils, the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Weather Bureau 
has been freely drawn upon, as has also the work of the U. S. 
Geological Survey, State Geological Surveys and various Agri- 
cultural Experiment Stations of the country. The material 
thus collected has been used largely as a basis for the work 
and this has been supplemented by data collected by the author 
after ten years devoted to the study of soils and agricultural 
conditions in various parts of the United States. 



TABLE OF CHAPTERS 



CHAPTER I. 

SOME REASONS FOR DESIRING A CHANGE OF LOCATION. 

High value of farm land in old established communities. — Dif- 
ficulties confronting the man of limited means. — The ne- 
cessity for some members of large families to leave the 
home community. — Reduced productivity of land in some 
old sections. — Settlements of foreigners. — Congested con- 
dition in large cities, uncertainty of steady employment, 
unsanitary conditions. — Low wages, high cost of living, 
the desire to own a home. — Attractions of country life. — 
Conditions of health. — The desire to speculate 1-8 

CHAPTER II. 

HOW DECISIONS ARE OFTEN MADE. 

Results of personal investigation and inspection. — Reports of 
friends or representatives. — Homeseekers' excursions.— Ad- 
vertising literature of real estate promoters and coloniza- 
tion projects. — Claims often highly colored and mislead- 
ing. — A rule to follow in buying land 9-14 

CHAPTER III. 

HOW TO SELECT A FARM. 

Engage assistance of some practical, reliable man familiar 
with conditions. — Determine type of agriculture to be fol- 
lowed. — Visit several regions if possible before making 
selection. — Carefully inspect the farms to be bought.— 
Take borings in soil with auger. — Get crop history if land 
is cultivated. — Visit farm at least once without aid of real 
estate agent. — Study social conditions, schools, markets, 
etc. — Contract for purchase of land, option, abstract, deed, 
etc 15-20 



vi Table of Chapters. 

CHAPTER IV. 

HOW UNCLE SAM CAN HELP, 

Much unreliable information published by advertisers. — Need 
of reliable data. — Sources of reliable information. — U. S. 
Dept. of Agriculture, U. S. Geological Survey, Agricultural 
Colleges and Experiment Stations. — Land Departments of 
Railways. — Chambers of Commerce. — Work of the Bureau 
of Soils, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture and its value to home- 
seekers. — Soil surveys and soil maps 21-31 

CHAPTER V. 

HOW A CITY FAMILY SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED A FARM. 

Description of farm. — Capital and other resources. — Arrange- 
ment of fields. — Cropping system. — Water supply. — Build- 
ings. — Labor. — System of employment. — Relation between 
owner and laborer. — Economical use of labor. — Family dis- 
cipline and occupation. — Housework problem. — The farm 
garden. — The orchard. — Woodland and permanent pasture. 
— Stock. — Tillage. — Fertilizers. — Financial record of the 
farm. — Corn and wheat. — What the farm has been made 
to accomplish for the family. — Social and agricultural 
problems satisfactorily solved. — A serious problem. — Farm 
implements and their cost 32-59 

Figure 1. Plan of farm, showing arrangement of fields, build- 
ings, etc 35 

P^'igure 2. Plat of farm garden, showing crops grown in 1909 42 

CHAPTER VI. 

SOIIj AND AGRICULTURAL PROVINCES OF THE UNITED STATES. 

(See list of maps.) 
Includes maps of all states by counties (pages 61-229) sho'Ci'ing 
chief soil or agricultural provinces. — Character of soil 
and type of agriculture in each province given accompany 
each map. — Present condition of agriculture, opportunities 
offered, description of most important regions, crops 
grown, etc., for each state 61-229 



Table of Chapters. vii 



CHAPTER VII. 

WESTERN CANADA. 

Describes the four agricultural provinces of Western Canada 
as regards climate, soil, extent of development, railway 
facilities, rivers, crops, education, available homesteads, 
cities and towns, and opportunities for cheap land, in rap- 
idly developing country 230-272 

Alberta 254-267 

British Columbia 267-272 

Manitoba 236-244 

Saskatchewan 244-254 

Reliable sources of information 273, 274 



LIST OF MAPS 



List of Maps. Page 

Alabama 110 

Arkansas 156 

Arizona 212 

California 222 

Connecticut 62 

Colorado 192 

Delaware 84 

Florida 100 

Georgia 96 

Illinois 136 

Indiana 130 

Idaho 202 

Iowa 148 

Kansas 168 

Kentucky 104 

Louisiana 156 

Maine 62 

Massachusetts 62 

Maryland 84 

Mississippi 110 

Michigan 118 

Minnesota 142 

Missouri 148 

IMontana 184 

New England 62 

New^ Hampshire 62 



List of Maps. Page 

New Jersey 76 

New York ...". 76 

New Mexico 198 

Nevada 210 

Nebraska 168 

North Carolina 90 

North Dakota 162 

Ohio 130 

Oregon 216 

Oklahoma 174 

Pennsylvania 76 

Rhode Island 62 

South Carolina 90 

South Dakota 162 

Tennessee 104 

Texas 178 

Utah 206 

Vermont 62 

Virginia 84 

Washington 216 

Wisconsin 124 

Wyoming 188 

West Virginia 84 

Length of growing season . . . 22S 

Rainfall 229 



HINTS TO HOMESEEKERS. 



CHAPTER I. 

SOME REASONS FOR DESIRING A CHANGE OF LOCATION. 

In every movement which has for its object the changing of 
the policies of a nation, state or community there are always a 
combination of conditions or circumstances which finally result 
in bringing about a transformation, but it is seldom that any 
one of these conditions would be sufficient in itself to influence 
public sentiment to any considerable degree. It is just so with 
individuals, and when a person makes a decision which is of 
sufficient magnitude to change the whole course of his life it is 
reasonable to assume that a number of causes have contributed 
to bring about this change of mind. During the past two decades 
there has been a more rapid movement from the old established 
portions of the country into the new, than during any other pre- 
vious period of equal length. This is a subject of vast impor- 
tance to the nations concerned and a question of great conse- 
quence to the individuals who go to make up this army of home- 
seekers. As this movement is still going on and increasing in 
extent from year to year, and as thousands of people throughout 
this and other lands are now considering whether or not it is 
best for them to make a change, we wish to briefly analyze the 
subject and point out some of the causes which tend to influence 
people to desire a change of location. 

Among the many conditions which have a tendency to create 
a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction within certain classes in 
many of our old and highly developed portions of the country, 
the high and increasing value of farm lands may be considered 
as an important factor. The man who secured his land from the 
Government or purchased it for a song and has grown rich on 
1 



2 Hints to Ilomeseekers 

the returns from his farm and independent from the greatly in- 
creased valuation of his property does not share in this feeling 
of unrest. The man who has worked for wages, however, and 
lias managed by habits of thrift and economy to lay by a small 
amount, hesitates to pay $100 per acre for land which could 
have been bought for $10 per acre twenty years previously. He 
naturally feels that if he can find a section of country where 
good land can be secured cheaply ; where he can get good returns 
for the labor on his own land and at the same time have his hold- 
ings increase in value, it will be to his interest to establish him- 
self in such a locality. It is while in this frame of mind that 
one is easily infhienced to change his location and especially so 
when the opportunities in some new section of country are shown 
to be very promising. 

Where land values range from $100 per acre up and it is 
necessary for a purehascn- to go in debt for most of his farm it 
usually means very liard work, slaving and grubbing for a long 
period of years before tlie iDortgage can be lifted and the family 
feel that they are free and have a home which is really their own. 
It often happens that when this time comes the people are too 
old to fully enjoy the comforts i'or which tliey have worked so 
faithfully. This is especially true with all lines of general farni- 
ing where the system followed is extensive rather than intensive 
and where the methods followed and crops grown are not those 
best adapted to the soil and prevailing conditions. The man of 
limited means facing the problem of selecting a farm in a loca- 
tion best suited to his needs often prefers to go into a new section 
where the land is cheap, even if there are a number of unpleas- 
ant features to contend with. The pioneer life appeals to some 
and the increased value of property which is sure to keep pace 
with development is always a very strong drawing card. 

In many families throughout the country districts there are 
often more children than can settle on the old farm and when 
they grow up and are about to start in for themselves it is neces- 
sary to decide as to the location of their future home and the 



Reasons for Desiring Change of Location 3 

nature of the work that v/ill be performed. Unfortunately many 
go to the large cities, some remain in their home community, 
purchase high priced land so as to be near parents and friends 
and are willing to assume a heavy debt in order that the advan- 
tages of the old home community may be secured. A number 
take up land in newly opened sections where values are low but 
the outlook promising. As development is now going on no one 
region remains very long in what would be called a pioneer 
stage. It often happens that land values double and sometimes 
treble in the course of four or five years because of the rapid in- 
crease in population and the attractive opportunities which are 
presented. 

Reference may here be made to the states of Iowa and Illinois 
where land for general farming purposes ha,s reached a higher 
value than in any other section of the United States covering so 
large an area. Fifty years ago almost any amount of this black 
prairie land could have been bought for $10 per acre. At the 
present time much of it is held at from $125 to $250 per acre and 
banks will loan nearly the full amount of the valuation on first 
mortgage security. Those who secured this land twenty-five or 
more years ago have grown wealthy on the increased value of 
their property. Many of these well-to-do farmers have retired 
from actual farm work and have moved to town to spend the re- 
mainder of their days in peace and quiet. Some of them even 
put their surplus money in more of this expensive land and rent 
their entire holdings. This has been going on to so great an 
extent that the average size of farms in these two states is actu- 
ally increasing and the population of the rural districts is de- 
creasing. When one farm is absorbed in this way it means that 
one family must find some other locality and it very frequently 
happens that they immediately seek for a home in some newly 
developing region where the soil is rich, the land cheap and the 
possibilities for rapid growth promising. 

Portions of the state of New York afford an illustration of a 
somewhat different sort. Many of the older farms throughout 



4 Hints to Homeseekers 

the state were abandoned a number of years ago because the 
yields which were secured were no longer profitable. This re- 
duced yield was due to the fact that the methods of farming fol- 
lowed were not such as tended to keep up the productivity of the 
soil. The same crops were grown upon the land year after year 
and but little was returned to the soil to supply the plant food 
taken off by the crops. "When the cheap land of the west came 
to the attention of the discouraged New York farmer it appealed 
strongly to him and he left his old home for a section where 
virgin soil could be secured for a few dollars per acre. The old 
farm may have been sold for what it would bring if a buyer 
could be found, but for a long time such farms were a drug on 
the market. Some of the land owners from the Empire State 
went into other lines of business which permitted them to remain 
at home, allowing their farms to remain idle. Thus it is that 
even at this time there are many abandoned farms in New York. 
The great opportunities offered in the reclaiming of these aban- 
doned farms by new and improved methods of culture will be 
discussed in another chapter and the question will arise whether 
the opportunities offered in some of the older states are not equal 
to those in the undeveloped regions. 

A large number of foreigners who come to our country each 
year settle on farms and most of them begin in the new sections 
because land is cheap and because they can form communities 
of their own better than in the older and well improved regions. 

The congested condition in many of the large cities, the un- 
certainty of steady employment, the unhealthful conditions ex- 
isting in some of the communities and the high cost of living are 
some of the things which turn the attention of many of the city 
people to the country and assist in adding recruits to the "Back 
to the Farm" movement. 

In the crowded tenement houses, the stuffy rooming places, the 
fine apartment, the comfortable cottage or the fashionable hotel, 
the germ of discontent may find congenial surroundings. The 
mechanic, laborer and shop girl confined closely to their work 



Reasons for Desiring Change of Location 5 

under conditions which are sometimes far from sanitary, fre- 
quently become broken in health and no longer able to be at 
their post. Much of the wage is usually required for the neces- 
sities of life and when the income is cut off a very unfortunate 
condition prevails. "When such a stage is reached or it is realized 
that this may be the lot of a large number sooner or later, the 
question of going into the country is often considered. Many 
prefer to live in the city even though it is difficult to save any- 
thing because the glare, the hustle and bustle and the social ad- 
vantages appeal to them, but there are also a large number who 
would gladly leave the city and settle on a farm if they knew 
anything about farming. Some are anxious and willing to make 
the change and learn as they go. 

The clerk in a store at from $40 to $60 per month who has to 
keep up a good appearance and wishes to take advantage of some 
of the opportunities offered by the city, has a difficult task to 
save anything out of his salary. All clerks cannot become heads 
of departments and the wages of the majority are not rapidly 
increased. The future in this line does not offer much and many 
clerks cast longing eyes toward the country and wish for a home 
amid the green fields. 

The country often appeals to many city people who are in 
comfortable circumstances, but who prefer the freedom and ex- 
panse of the rural districts. Some of these frequently take up 
the actual management of a farm, while others may spend only 
a portion of their time in a country home for a period of rest. 
Varying degrees of success are attained by city people who un- 
dertake to operate a farm, but if careful study is given the sub- 
ject, as would be done if any other business were being under- 
taken, the possibility of failure will be reduced to the minimum. 

The high cost of living, especially in the cities, is one condi- 
tion which creates a feeling of unrest among a large number of 
people. It is almost impossible for the head of an average fam- 
ily to earn enough alone so that when all of the expenses are 
paid there will be a little left to put aside for a rainy day. Dur- 



6 Hints to Homeseekers 

ing the past fifteen years a number of articles in common use and 
some necessities have inerea,sed in price over 100 percent, but 
wages have not advanced in proportion. For this reason the 
condition of the working man, in so far as he is able to save, has 
grown worse instead of better. If this average family were on a 
farm, which could be bought for a small amount in some newly 
developing section, they could at least make a living, which is 
all they can possibly do in the city. Then they would have the 
benefit of the open air with plenty of health giving sunshine, 
and if they were at all industrious they could in all probability 
make sufficient to enable them to live in comfort. While the 
high cost of clothing and the like would apply to the country 
as well as to the city it would not be necessary to have such costly 
garments. Practically all of food or its equivalent could be 
raised on the farm and thus the large grocery bill done away 
with to a great extent. 

Changes in location are often made necessary by reason of the 
poor condition of a person 's health. The individual who realizes 
that he has contracted tuberculosis, or that he is apt to do so, 
will make every effort within his power to put his body in the 
best possible condition to resist the dread disease. It may be 
necessaiy for him to move into some region where the climatic 
conditions are different from his home. It may also be neces- 
sary for him to change the character of the labor which has been 
perfonned as a means of making a living. There are a large 
number of diseases which are most readily controlled or cured 
under certain climatic conditions and so if these conditions do 
not prevail where one resides a change of location becomes neces- 
sary. The air in the vicinity of large manufacturing centers is 
so contaminated with injurious gases that such places are not at 
all favorable for the treatment of diseases. Many of the laboring 
cla.ss, however, are obliged to remain where they are taken sick 
because of their lack of money, even though they strongly desire 
to get out into the clear, pure air. Probably the varj'ing eondi- 



Reasons for Desiring Change of Location 7 

tion of health accounts for the desire for a change of location as 
frequently as any other one cause. 

The desire to speculate is strong in many people and it often 
leads them to leave the old established communities and go into 
remote sections where there is a possibility of development. The 
cut-over timber lands of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota 
give an illustration worthy of note. When the timber was first 
removed much of the land was considered worthless. Large 
tracts of it were allowed to revert to the states for taxes and 
thousands of acres were later acquired for a few cents an acre 
by speculators who thought the land had some possibilities. 
Later on as population increased and land came into greater de- 
mand it was found that much of this cut-over pine land was 
capable of producing profitable crops. A large number of in- 
stances could be cited where land which was secured for paying 
the taxes was sold within ten or fifteen years for from $15 to $30 
per acre. The cut-over pine land in these states is still slowly in- 
creasing in value and there are thousands of acres which at this 
time are spoken of as worthless and which can be bought for 
from $2 to $5 per acre. Future knowledge along agricultural 
lines may make possible the successful development of the 
poorest of this land. People are flocking to the Northwest and 
a large number of them are attracted to that region because 
they expect to make money speculating in land. Desirable tracts 
have frequently been known to double in value within one or 
two years and wherever there is a possibility of making money 
as rapidly as this there are plenty of people who are willing 
to move into the promising section and invest. The increase in 
population in this country has been very rapid and as settlement 
has advanced from the older communities into the new, land 
values have increased with development. Those who have pur- 
chased just in advance of settlement and have held possession 
until the section was fairly well developed have made plenty 
of money. The marked success of the few attracts the attention 
of many and few of those whose attention is drawn to the new 



S Hints to Tlomeseelxers 

country' inquire closely into the possibility of failure, hence we 
see thousands of people seeking for homes and places to invest 
M^hich give the greatest promise for rapid development. It 
frequently occurs that changes are made when it would have 
been better for those interested to have remained at home. 
Some of the means used to induce people to make a change will 
be taken up later on in this volume. 



CHAPTER II. 

HOW DECISIONS TO CHANGE LOCATION ARE OFTEN MADE. 

A number of reasons for desiring a change of location were 
enumerated in the preceding chapter but these reasons in them- 
selves are not always sufficient to bring about a definite deci- 
sion in the minds of those most deeply interested. There may 
be a great many reasons for desiring to leave a certain locality 
but it may be extremely difficult to take the final step because 
there are so many new sections of country which invite the 
prospective settler and it is difficult to decide which is best 
adapted to the peculiar needs of the individual, or which offers 
the most attractive propositions. Almost every state has certain 
advantages along some particular lines which are not so fully 
enjoyed by a neighbor state, and nearly all sections of the coun- 
try and especially the newly developing regions, are putting 
forth every effort possible to impress their most desirable feat- 
ures upon the minds of all who contemplate making a change 
sooner or later. These efforts are often so strongly presented 
that of themselves they may create a desire for people to leave 
their home community and try for a fortune in the new locality. 

Transportation facilities are afforded practically all portions 
of the country and in any community there are usually some 
who have traveled to a greater or less extent. From these in- 
dividuals as centers information concerning the regions visited 
soon spreads throughout the neighborhood. This knowledge re- 
ceived second hand, as it is, may create a deep interest in cer- 
tain sections and some may be influenced to make a change upon 
the recommendations of a friend. The reports of many who 
\dsit California are so very enthusiastic that the majority of 
people who go there are induced to do so by personal friends. 
Some are always disappointed because they expect too much 



10 Hints til ]l()))i(srrlccrs 

;m(l .-ilso hfciuisc tlioy do tiot see things in the same light or 
iiiulcr llic saiii'^ conditions ns Ihoir informer saw thom. 

LiirLje nnmb(M"S of people annually decide to clianfj^e their loca- 
tion tlirouirh tli(> i-esnlts of personal investigations which they 
iiave made, and it may be said that this is always the most satis- 
factory for all concerned. llomt\s(>(>kers' (wenrsions are now a 
I'eatiir'' whicii all railway lint's of any extent attcMnpt to cncour- 
air»\ 'riu> clu'ap i-ates offered permit people of limited means 
to visit newly devt>lopin,!j: reijions and this makes possible a per- 
sonal investigation of the opportunities. The magnitude of this 
linsin(>ss can hardly be realiztnl unless one has taken part in an 
excursion of this kind or has Ixhmi brought in contact with them 
in some way. The writer sjxMit a winti'r in Texas a few years 
ago and was stationed in a small town on one of tJie main lines 
of traflic. Hardly a day went b\ during which at least one train 
load of luimeseekers did not pass and on several days as high as 
sc\-eM trains o\' ffom eii;lit to twelv(> eoat'lu\s each, all loaded 
with liomeseekers, passeti through the town. These excui'sions 
are so arrangetl that one may stop otV at any point desired or at 
a number of places and remain foi- a consiiltM'able length of time. 
Tlu\v are in charge o\' we'l informed representatives of the rail- 
road companies who supply information concerning the country 
traversed. 

\Vhere it is imjxvssible for p(>ople to make personal investiga- 
tions of tlu> opportnniti(>s olfiM-inl in any region it is sometimes 
f«MUul athantageous for those interested to contribute toward 
tln> (>xpens(>s of one of their luimber who may be selected to take 
tlii^ trip. This repri>S(>ntative may visit a n\nnber of places and 
tile report which is made upon his rtMiu-n will be the determin- 
ing t'actor in deciding to which stH'lion they shall all ,go. It may 
bt> that after siuli an investigation is made some will conclude 
that tlu\v will W betttM- olV to riMuain at home. If such is the 
case it usually follows that th(> feeling of unrest with wiiich 
they were possessed is no longiM- manifest anil they are then 



TIoiv Decisions to Change are Made 11 

content to remain in the old community and assist in bringing 
it to a higher stage of development. 

Anollicr faetor which is vovy influential in calling the atten- 
tion of people to newly devt'loping sections and which, without 
doubt, stimulates the desire for a change of location to a greater 
extent than any other one thing, is the great campaign of adver- 
tising inaugurated by real estate firms and the promoters of 
large colonization ])ropositi()ns. The country is Hooded every 
year with advei-tisements in magazines, newspapers, posters and 
in pamphlet form which bring to the attention of the public the 
wonderful opportunities which await settlers in the "land of 
promise." It is safe to say that the information circulated in 
this way is among the most optimistic literature in existence at 
the present time. It is the object of all this advertising to place 
the advantages of the section in question before the pro,speetive 
investor in the most favorable light possible. It is intended to 
make an impression so strong that it will finally lead those in- 
terested to make a personal investigation and invest or to invest 
without making any investigation as to the merits of the claims 
made. Advertising has developed wonderfully during the past 
decade and it may be considered a fine art. The methods em- 
ployed have been adopted only after careful study of the most 
minute details; even the style of type is given careful considera- 
tion so that the attention may be attracted and held by the ad- 
vertisement. There are at the jiresent time a nundx'r of schools 
throughout the country wliicli make; a specialty of teaching 
advertising, and there are many business firms which pay spe- 
cialists at the iiead of their advertising departments salaries 
as high as $20,000 per year. It will thus be seen that advertis- 
ing is considcn'ed a very important factor in any business enter- 
prise. One object is to inform the i)ul)lix! where and how de- 
mands for various things can best be supplied. Another object 
is to create a demand for the things which an individual or com- 
pany may wish to place upon \he market. 

It is thoroughly recognized that advertising is a very neces- 



12 Tfinis fo Homeseckcrs 

sary and iin])ortant branch of trade and it is not the intention 
to discredit in tlio least this hip^hly developed industry. It is 
the iiitc^ntion, however, to place before the jjublic the fact that 
Ihc melhods employed by some real estate promoters are often 
tlie cause of misleading a j]jreat many people by inducini^ them 
to put all of their saving into property which they have given a 
greatly inflated value and which cannot be successfully devel- 
oped by the average person along tlie lines indicated in the 
claims made. Florida lands have probably been advertised more 
extensively throughout the northeastern and north central states 
than lands of any other region. The possibilities of this state 
have been so vividly painted that thousands of people have 
bought small tracts without ever going to examine the land. 
When they have moved their belongings to the "land of prom- 
ise" expecting to make their home and a fortune on ten acres, un- 
der the bright sunny skies, they have found their land to consist 
of nothing but sand which it will cost more to improve and 
make productive than the original cost of the land and which 
can be handled successfully only by expensive methods. Very 
few are sufficiently acquainted with the methods of soil man- 
agement to be capable of bringing such land to a high stage of 
productivity. There are many excellent opportunities in Flor- 
ida as there are in all of the southern states, but there is a great 
deal of very ]ioor land mixed with the good. It is the object 
of most of the real estate dealers to sell as many acres as possi- 
ble. Sometimes the dealer knows the land is poor and some- 
times his knowledge of soil conditions is as limited as that of 
his prospective customers. As will be found out from the dis- 
cussion of Florida later in this volume there is a great amount 
of deep sand in that state which is very poor land. . Much of 
the best land is sandy on the surface and the subsoil is the 
determining factor. It is very easy to be mislead and therefore 
the greatest care should be exercised in selecting a farm in that 
region. INIanj^ who take up land there know nothing about fann- 
ing and what efforts they make are poorly directed. As a result 



How Decisions to Change are Made 13 

many become discouraged, give up the place and return home, 
providing they have sufficient money left, much poorer from a 
financial point of view but considerable richer in experience. 
Advertising matter which makes such unwarranted claims for 
any region should not be permitted to circulate. This class of 
advertising does a region more harm than good and it establishes 
a prejudice against all real estate dealers. 

In any newly developing field the real estate men are very 
conspicuous and as in other lines of business all classes are to 
be found. Many have an untarnished reputation and are al- 
ways fair and square in their dealings and conservative in their 
advertising. The older established firms are more often apt to 
be of this sort, though in a new section it necessarily follows that 
none of the lines of business can be very old. Old established 
firms, however, frequently install branch offices in new territory. 
Many young men start in the real estate business in new sections 
and among these are found many straightforward, honest 
hustlers who can be trusted implicitly. The broker who is 
transient, remaining in one locality only a short time, fleecing 
whom he may and then seeking for others in more remote 
regions, is to be avoided. There are exceptions, of course, in all 
classes and the only safe way is to be sure of the reputation of 
the man with whom a deal is to be made. A man of honor will 
not unite himself with a questionable business and therefore if 
any proposition is in the liands of a reputable person one may 
be reasonably sure of getting a square deal. 

There is one rule, however, which should always be followed 
in buying land or any form of real estate and that is — Never 
Iniy vnlil the property has first 'been carefully inspected. 
P. T. Barnum said the American people liked to be humbugged 
and also that there was a sucker born every minute. It seems 
that the unscrupulous real estate dealer is as willing as any one 
else to take the money from the blind man. It may be said that 
if people are willing to buy land without first seeing it they 
should not complain if they get the wor.st of the bargain. The 



14 Hints to Homeseekers 

important rule, of conrso, is broken when this is done, yet it 
must be remembered that there are thousands of people who 
sincerely want a small farm and a home in the country. They 
have only limited means and often do not feel able to make a 
trip of investigation and then return and move the family. They 
often figure that it would be an unnecessary expense since they 
place confidence in the representation made to them by the real 
estate dealer's advertisements. 

Too great care cannot be exercised even when a personal in- 
vestigation is being made. The attention of the writer was 
recently called to a transfer of several thousands acres of land 
in one of the southern states. The agent took the prospective 
buyer over a tract in an automobile, pointed out the comer 
posts, good natural drainage, rich soil, etc., and the sale was 
promptly made on a cash basis. "When the surveyors came to 
plat out the tract for the new owner it was discovered that the 
land was adjoining that which had been examined and instead 
of being high and well drained it was a swamp and practically 
worthless. It was a transient broker who put through the deal 
without the owner of the property knowing that any misrepre- 
sentation was made, and when the fraud was discovered the 
broker had made his departure for regions unknown. Such in- 
stances as this are exceptional, yet they emphasize the necessity 
of exercising the greatest caution. 



CHAPTER III. 



HOW TO SELECT A FARM. 



"When it is fully decided that a change in location is to be 
made and that the new home will be established on a farm, the 
next important question to be solved is the selection of the farm. 
This is no small matter, especially if one's knowledge of soil and 
agricultural conditions are limited, as is often the ease with 
people who have always lived in the city. "Whenever it is pos- 
sible to do so, those of limited acquaintance with such matters 
should enlist the assistance of some experienced friend who will 
either accompany them on the trip or at least give practical 
suggestions. A number of books have been written on this sub- 
ject and many valuable points can be gained by reading such 
works. The assistance of a practical business farmer, however, 
will be found to be the most satisfactory and it would be ad- 
visable to pay considerable for the services of such a man for the 
time required in making the selection. Of course, there are 
many instances where the prospective buyer will have to rely 
upon his own judgment whether he is experienced or not. We 
therefore desire to call attention to some of the most important 
things which should be considered when a farm is to be selected. 

It may be necessary to visit several different localities before 
one is found in which the general conditions appear to be the 
most favorable for the establishing of the home. Whenever it 
is possible to do so it is advisable to cover a wide range of coun- 
try before settling on any particular region. In this way first 
hand information will be secured concerning a number of dif- 
ferent sections and when a selection is finally made, satisfaction 
and contentment will be more apt to follow. If only one section 
were visited and the results of the first year did not prove to be 
very encouraging one might feel that he could have done better 
in some other locality. The possibilities of discontentment 



!16 Hints to Homeseekers 

arising will therefore be reduced to the minimum if at least sev- 
eral of the most promising sections of country are examined 
before a selection is finally made. 

Before any particular tract of land is chosen as the site for 
the future home it should be definitely decided as to the type 
of agriculture that is to be followed, for this will have consid- 
erable to do with the character of the soil which should be se- 
lected. For example, if truck crops are to be grown it would 
not be advisable to select a farm on which the soils consisted of 
clay or clay loams. On the other hand, if dairying was to be 
carried on it would not be desirable to select light sandy soils. 
Certain crops thrive best on certain types of soil and, therefore, 
if one has decided what crops are to be grown he should select 
a farm having the soils which will produce these crops to the 
best possible advantage. By following the suggestions in the 
chapter on "How Uncle Sam Can Help" very valuable and 
helpful information concerning soils and their adaptation to 
crops can be readily secured. 

As nearly all tracts of land, farms and lots which are for sale 
are listed with real estate dealers, it is usually necessary to trans- 
act business through some such agency. It is customary for an 
agent to show prospective buyers over the farms which it is 
thought will answer the needs ot* the investor. It is the object 
of the real estate man, of course, to make a sale whenever pos- 
sible and all of the most desirable features of any tract will be 
clearly pointed out and emphasized. One should not permit 
this tendency on the part of the salesman to delay or sidetrack 
investigations along all lines. After a number of tracts have 
been examined and some of them seem to be quite desirable, the 
prospective buyer should make it a point to visit these places 
at another time when he is not accompanied by the agent. This 
will permit a more thorough investigation and during such an 
inspection one should go over every portion of the farm care- 
fully. The soil should be examined carefully with a three foot 
auger and notes made for comparison on the variation of the 



How to Select a Farm 1-7 

soils of the different tracts. The drainage conditions should be 
carefully looked into and possible sites for buildings should be 
inspected. The condition of the fences and other improvements 
which have already been made should be examined and when- 
ever it is possible to secure it, a history of the farm and farm 
practices followed .should be obtained. If the land has been un- 
der cultivation for some time this will be of especial value, for 
if the soil has been abused by raising one crop on the same field 
year after year and if nothing has been returned to the land in 
the form of fertilizers, it is well to find this out, for it is a very 
important matter. Two adjoining farms may have the same 
kind of soil and yet produce different yields because one may 
be in a much better state of cultivation and fertility than the 
other. It may take several years of good farming to bring the 
one farm to a state of productivity equal to the other and there- 
fore, the two places have a different value. The possible water 
supply for household purposes and for stock should be investi- 
gated. It is often desirable to go over a place a third time so as 
Ix) be absolutely sure of all details. After the second inspection 
has been made and careful thought has been given the matter, 
other points may arise which will require attention. Never get 
in a hurry while selecting a farm. Don't let the uneasiness of 
the real estate man cause any worry. Take all the time that is 
necessary, for when the place is once purchased it may be the 
home for years to come. 

There are a number of things to consider outside of the farm 
itself and perhaps the most important of these is the social con- 
ditions of the conmiunity in which the farm is located. If it is 
in a section of country just opened to settlement and only thinly 
populated, there will not be much to investigate along this line 
except as one may inquire into what class of people are becom- 
ing interested in that particular region. A visit to some of the 
homes already established will be to advantage. One may thus 
gain some idea as to the social conditions which may develop as 
the population increases. It is much more difficult for the women 
2 



18 Hints to Homeseekers 

of the household to become accustomed to new conditions than 
for the men and consideration should always be given this fact. 
The proximity of churches and schools should be ascertained and 
inquiries made as to the thoroughness of the instruction given, 
especially if there are children of school age in the family. 

The distance from the farm to markets is a very important 
matter. If a city trade is to be supplied "\\'ith truck or dairy 
products it is important that the farm should be within easy 
hauling distance of the city. If the produce from the farm is to 
be shipped to distant markets it is then desirable that the loca- 
tion should be near a good shipping point. The shipping facili- 
ties and rates afforded by the railroads nearest should be investi- 
gated. The rates on getting produce to distant markets are often 
very high and sometimes eat up the profits in production. The 
matter of good roads also comes up at this time and it is an im- 
portant question, for the better the roads are the cheaper the 
produce can be marketed. 

Climatic conditions and the general healthfulness of the region 
should be taken into consideration. The amount of rainfall and 
its distribution throughout the year is an important point. If 
the rainfall is limited as it is in many portions of the west and 
southwest, irrigation will be necessary and where this is the 
case it frequently happens that there is sufficient alkali in the 
soil to be injurious to plant growth. Very reliable data as to 
the climate, rainfall, and conditions of the soil in various parts 
of the United States can be readily secured from the various de- 
partments of the Government, as pointed out elsewhere in this 
volume. 

When a farm has finally been found which proves to be satis- 
factory, negotiations may be entered into for its purchase.- It 
is usually customary to enter into a contract with the owner of 
the property or with the real estate agent, if he has been author- 
ized to act fully for the owner. The purchaser is required to 
deposit a nominal sum to show his good faith and the owner of 
the property furnishes an abstract of title to the farm. The 



How to Select a Farm 19 

contract should stipulate that one condition of the sale is that 
the title shall be perfect. If it does not prove to be so the money 
deposited will be refunded and the purchaser released from the 
contract, or the title perfected. When the owner submits the 
abstract the prospective buyer should have it examined by an 
attorney and his signed opinion attached to it. If the title is 
perfect the deal may be closed. The abstract should be pre- 
served so that if it is desired to sell the property at any time 
the expense of having another prepared may be saved. It can 
be brought up to date by the addition of the last transfer of 
the property. 

In case a person should be fairl}^ well pleased with a tract of 
land but should not wish to close a deal for its purchase, it is 
often possible to secure an option for a small consideration. 
This may be for a period of a few days or it may be for a year. 
Under the terms of an option the prospective purchaser is usu- 
ally given the first opportunity to close the deal under condi- 
tions which may be agreed upon. During the period over which 
the option extends the prospective settler has an opportunity of 
examining the place more carefully, and he may also examine 
other places, which may prove to be better suited to his needs. 

After a deal is closed and the deed is to be delivered it is 
well to have the deed examined by an attorney so that there will 
be no possibility of error. After the deed has been delivered to 
the purchaser he should have it recorded by the register of deeds 
in the county where the land is located. 

It may be that the one desiring a change of location will not 
wish to buy land but will desire to take up a homestead directly 
from the Government. It may be said that at the present time 
there is no government land that is desirable for homesteading 
east of the Mississippi River. All of the western and southwest- 
ern states contain a large acreage which is still open to home- 
stead entry but, of course, each year the amount of this land 
which is desirable is being rapidly reduced. The public land in 
the state of Texas is under the control of the state authorities 



20 Hints to Homeseekers 

and inquiries concerning that region should be directed to the 
Commissioner of Public Lands, Austin, Texas. The public lands 
in all other states and territories are under the jurisdiction of 
the United States Government and any desired information may- 
be secured by writing to the Public Land Office, Department of 
the Interior, "Washington, D. C. Information will be given as 
to the location of all public lands open to homestead entry and 
instructions will be given as to how entry should be made for 
such land. 



CHAPTER IV. 



HOW UNCLE SAM CAN HELP. 



When the question of selecting a farm is under consideration 
there are always a number of things which should be taken into 
account, because the change to be made will be of great conse- 
quence to those interested. It frequently happens that too little 
attention is given to securing good and reliable information 
concerning the different localities from which a selection is to 
be made. Reliance is often placed on the literature circulated 
so freely through the country by real estate dealers and pro- 
moters of large colonization propositions. The information con- 
tained in such literature is usually based on facts but these are 
frequently distorted, and the reports are biased because it is the 
object of the advertising matter to get people interested in the 
advertised section. Only the most desirable features are taken 
up and the yields of the various crops are the most optimistic, 
being based too often on the maximum returns for the most fav- 
orable years. If there are serious drawbacks they are not men- 
tioned at all or referred to a,s being of slight importance. Per- 
haps the statement may be made that the things which appear to 
be undesirable will in reality prove to be beneficial. The most 
extravagant statements are sometimes made and it frequently 
seems incredible that anyone would attempt to pawn off on the 
public such unreliable information. 

As a result of the publication of such a vast amount of un- 
reliable data many people, being satisfied with this class of in- 
formation, are induced to make a change, whereas if the true 
conditions had been kno^\Ti the proposition would not have ap- 
peared at all attractive. If only trustworthy reports were cir- 
culated concerning the various newly developing sections of 
country, much dissatisfaction would be prevented, large amounts 



22 Flints io Homeseekers 

ol" luoiiey would be saved to those Avho are most sadly in ueed oi! 
it, and the coninnmitios aflt'eeted would be uuicli better off. In 
the lig'lit of sneli facts it is very important that those contemplat- 
ing making a change should make themselves familiar with all 
possible information available bearing upon the localities which 
they are considering, and not be guided by the alluring adver- 
tisements of the land speculators. 

There are a number of reliable sources of information which 
supply data along the various lines under question, and the one 
upon which it is always advisable to call is the United States 
Government. The branch which Avill be of the most service to 
those desiring data on soils, crops and general agricultural con- 
ditions, climate, etc., is the United States Department of Agri- 
culture at Washington, D. C. This Department is divided into 
Bureaus, each having particular lines of work and investigation 
to follow. The liurcau of Soils makes a careful study of the soils 
and agricultural conditions in various parts of the country and 
attempts to solve the many problems which arise from the tilling 
of the soil. The Bureau of Plant Industry confines its work 
largely to problems relating to the growth of plants where such 
I)roblems have an important relation to agricultural develop- 
ment. They follow out various lines of plant breeding and ex- 
perimentation in an effort to improve plants or adapt them to 
certain conditions. Their field embraces a broad scope of work 
which is very helpful to the agricultural interests of the country. 
The Bureau of Animal Industry deals with questions relating 
to the raising and handling of all classes of livestock; the Bureau 
of Chemistry with the adulteration of food stutfs, etc.; the Bu- 
reau of Entomology with insects which may have an influence 
on the development of agriculture, and the Weather Bureau 
which makes a study of the atmospheric conditions throughout 
the country. Another branch of the government which is of great 
service to the agriculture development of the country is the 
Reclamation Service of the United States Geological Survey, 
Their field is chiefly in the reclamation of arid and semi-arid 



How Uncle Sam Can Help 23 

regions of the west by means of establishing irrigation systems 
under government supervision and control. These branches of 
the government are of great importance to the people as a whole, 
of more importance than is appreciated, but they are of special 
service to all desiring specific information concerning any of 
the numerous lines of investigation taken up. The employees 
of departments are public servants and it is the mission of all 
Bureaus to serve the people. If, for example, information were 
desired regarding the agricultural possibilities of any particu- 
lar section of country and inquiry should be sent to the Secre- 
tary of Agriculture at Washington, D. C, this would be referred 
to the Bureau working along the particular line and all informa- 
tion available would be forwarded to the party making the in- 
quiry. A slight charge is sometimes made to cover the cost of 
publication on certain lines of work. The data secured in this 
way is unbiased and reliable and is, therefore, of much more 
value than the highly colored, exaggerated advertising matter 
of the promoter. There should never be any hesitancy, there- 
fore, in calling upon the government for any desired inform.a- 
tion. 

Another source of reliable data along agricultural lines is the 
Agricultural Experiment Stations throughout the country. 
There is at least one in every state and territory in the United 
States and they are doing a magnificent work in the higher de- 
velopment of agriculture and in bringing farm life to a higher 
plane. The result of the work done at these stations is of spe- 
cial help to the residents of the states in which they are loeated, 
but they are a^so glad to furnish information to residents of 
other states and will usually send their publications to any ad- 
dress free of charge. It will thus be seen that if a resident of 
New York wishes some special data concerning the raising of 
cotton in Mississippi he could write to the director of the Agri- 
cultural Experiment Station at Starkville, Mississippi, and se- 
cure without cost reports on all of the cotton investigations which 
have been made in that great cotton growing state. It is need- 



24 Hints to HomeseeTcers- 

less to say that the data thus secured will be of far greater 
service and much more satisfactory to the New York man than 
the average booklet sent out by real estate promoters. A list 
of the various experiment stations of the country and their lo- 
cation IS supplied with this volume for the convenience of those 
wishing to make inquiries at any time. 

The railroads of the country and especially those which trav- 
erse newly developing country publish a great deal of literature 
on the resources of the region along their lines and commercial 
clubs, business men's organizations and chambers of commerce 
afford sources of information which are wortliy of careful con- 
sideration. It is the object of these organizations to settle up 
the country with people who will be satisfied to remain and 
make permanent improvements and enter into the life of the 
community. The representations which are made to the public 
through these channels are usually very fair and reliable. They 
furnish data not only along agricultural lines but also along 
all lines of business enterprise. 

The branch of the public service which is in the best position 
to furnish the information desired by prospective homeseekers 
is without doubt the Bureau of Soils of the U. S. Department 
of Agriculture, and a description is given herewith of the 
character of the work which is done and the manner in which 
this can be made use of by those interested in any particular 
region. 

The Bureau of Soils was organized for the express purpose of 
making such investigations along the lines of soils and their adap- 
tation to crops as would be of the most practical nature possible. 
The work taken up has met with great success and the Bureau 
has grown from a small Division under the Weather Bureau 
employing only three or four persons, to a separate Bureau em- 
ploying over 100 experts, scientists and clerks. About one-half 
of the force is kept constantly in the field while the other half 
remain in Washington for the purpose of performing the labo- 
ratory work and making special scientific investigations with 
samples of soil from various parts of the country. 



How Uncle Sam Can Help 25 

The work done by the men in the field is of the most practical 
nature and of great assistance to all interested in agriculture. 
The work which is done consists of making a soil survey of the 
different sections and the unit for such a survey is usually a 
county. Up to the present time soil surveys have been made in 
every state and territory of the United States, excepting Alaska. 
To those unfamiliar wdth work of this nature there are always 
three questions which naturally arise when the matter is brought 
up. The first question is : What is a soil survey ; the second : • 
How is a soil survey made ; and third : Of what particular value 
is a soil survey of any region. 

A soil survey consists of making a classification of the soil 
in the fields and in preparing a map which shows where all of 
the different kinds of soil are located. The classification is 
based largely on the texture of the soil grains, though the topog- 
raphy, geological derivation, structure, drainage of the soil, 
natural growth and the climatic conditions prevailing are all 
taken into consideration and given weight in establishing the 
different soil types and soil series. As is well known the soils 
of any region vary to a considerable extent. There may be clay, 
silt, loam, sandj' loam and sand all within an area of limited 
extent. It is the work of the soil survey to find out the extent 
and the exact location of all of the different classes of soil, to 
make a study of the methods of cultivation and fertilization 
which have been practiced, to determine as far as possible the 
best methods of culture to be followed and the crops and the 
rotations best adapted to each particular soil. The map which 
is prepared is called a soil map and the report which gives a 
detailed description of each soil, its adaption to crops, methods 
of culture, general information concerning transportation facili- 
ties, labor, markets, etc., covering the area surveyed is called a 
soil survey report. 

As stated above, the coimty is usually taken as the unit for 
soil survey work and whenever a reliable county map can be 
secured this is used as a base. "When such a map cannot be 



26 Hints io Tlomcseekers 

secured it is necessary for tlie men to construct a complete base 
map, using the ordinary planetable for doing the traverse work^ 
and getting the measurements on the roads by means of an odo- 
meter attached to the buggy wheel. Two men usually work to- 
getlier. The soil is examined by means of an inch and a half 
anger and borings are taken to the depth of three feet. In starting 
the work in a certain area the first boring may show, for ex- 
ample, that the soil consists of a medium textured, brown loam 
ten inches deep, underlain by a heavy loam grading into a yel- 
lowish-brown gritty clay loam and extending to a depth of over 
three feet. If the area is within the glaciated region and the 
material composing the soil consists largely of limestone parti- 
cles, from having been scraped over limestone formations by 
glacial action, this particular soil wiH ])e classed as IMiami loam. 
The term IMiami is used then in connection with this soil wherever 
found. On making other borings in the immediate vicinity it 
may be found that this same soil covers a considerable area. 
They then select a certain color, from the supply of colored 
pencils with which they are provided, and indicate on the map 
by this color tlie area over whieli the .soil occurs. This one soil 
constitutes what is called a soil type. The men proceed with 
their work and probal)ly soon come to a place where the soil con- 
sists of a brown, medium sandy loam twelve inches deep, under- 
lain by a yellowish-brown sticky sandy loam or sandy clay ex- 
tending to a depth of over three feet. Since this soil will have a 
somewhat different agricultural value and is different in texture 
than the other soil it constitutes a new soil type. It will work 
easier and may not retain moisture as well as the loam type. If 
it is of the same origin as the loam soil it will be called Miami 
sandy loam, which indicates that it is a separate type but be- 
longs to the same series. The soil series corresponds to the family 
and is made up of a number of individuals all having the same 
origin and having many characteristics in common but differing 
mainly in texture and the consequent agricultural value. Thus 
in any soil series we find types ranging in texture from clay to 



Hoiv Uncle Sam Can Help 27 

coarse sand. When a new type is discovered in the field a new 
color is selected for it. It then becomes necessary to trace out 
the boundary line between the types and indicate this accurately 
on the soil map. Thus the work progresses from day to day un- 
til the county is completed. While the mapping is in progress 
a careful study is made of the methods of farming followed on 
the different kinds of soil and notes are taken on the yields, etc. 
The mapping can usually be done at the rate of from four to 
eight square miles per day, depending upon the uniformity of 
the soil, condition of the roads, weather, etc. When the field work 
is completed a copy of the map is made on the scale of one inch 
to one mile and a complete report written covering the soil and 
agricultural conditions in that region. The map and report are 
then forwarded to Washington where they are published. 

In any one county there may be from five to thirty distinct 
soil types representing several different series. When the dif- 
ferent series are found to have certain characteristics in com- 
mon they are said to belong to the same soil province, and this 
is the broadest division which is made in soil classification. The 
whole United States is divided into a number of soil provinces. 
For example we have the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Prov- 
ince which extends along the coast from New Jersey to South 
Texas and comprises the coastal plain country which was cov- 
ered at one time by the ocean and during which time forma- 
tions giving rise to the different soils were deposited. Within 
this extensive province there are a number of series of which 
the Orangeburg and the Norfolk are the two most important. 
In the Appalachian Mountain region we find the Piedmont 
Plateau Province comprising a number of series, including the 
Cecil, which is derived from the weathering of igneous and 
metamorphic rocks. Another province includes the Limestone 
Valleys and Uplands, another the River Flood Plains, another 
the Glacial Lake and River Terraces and still another the Gla- 
cial and Loessial region. Within this last province we find the 
Miami, Coloma, Plainfield, Waukesha and a number of other 



28 



III Ills Id II Diiicsickcrti 



NCficS, wllicli li;i\(' l)rcil ililllli'licrd to .'i <4lTiilri' (t|- less rxtcill 

by },Hji('i;il ;icl ion. 

Ak tin- (icid work progresses froiii one ;irc;i lo jitiollicr 
tliroii^'lHMil llic <'ouiilry, s.'iiiiplrs of :ill the (lilTcrciil soil types 
;ire eolleeled iiiiil selll lo Wiisll ill^^'l oil. A lliecllil n ie;i I illlillysis 
is iiiiide of eiieli s;iiiiple ;iiid in some eases a elieiiiieid aiiidysis 
is jilso made. A earet'id mieroseopie e.xamiiiat ion isol'leii made 
ol" llie soil {jjraiiis lo determine the dilTer'ent minerals wliieli ".^o 
lo make np I he soil. 

'IMie work ol' the soil siirx'ey which is eondiieled in sonu' ol" 
the arid and s*-mi arid states and also in sonn- ol' Ihe portions 
<d' Mi(^ country |»oorly suited to the developmetd. of ai^'ricnlt nrc, 
is of ]i dilTereid nalure than the detailed work just descrilx'd. 
The conditi(His, as a ride, are miieli more unirorm and possibili 
lies I'oi" fuhire development in many cases are more remote. 
The survey in such localities is called a iveconnoissaiu'e Survey 
because <d" the I'ael that it is xcry j^cneral in character. The 
\V()i"k is done on a scale ol" oin- inch lo six miles and oidy llie 
broader soil relationships are i'ecoj>nized. Distinct soil ly|)es 
are nuipped but Ihe I \ pi' there is ol'len permitted to iiu'liule 
a, wi(b'r ran^e ol' \ariati(uis than is the case in the detailed 
surveys. 

Wh<'re\'er there is Ihe |>resence id' alkali in Ihe soils ol" Ihe 
arid and semi arid seelions and a delaili'd soil sui'vey is miub^ 
(d" such an area, an alkali map is also const I'ueted, showinj; the 
amounlol' alkali wITudi iscoidained in Ihe soils I lirou<j['houl the 
rcf^don surveyed. This is ol" j;'reat imporlance, for it rre(|ueutly 
happens that the soil contains sulVicienl alkali lo be \vv\ in- 
jurious to jdanl !j;ro\\|li. Somelinu's it is so pleidil'id that noth- 
ing'' whatever will i;ro\v, while in other places I he 'Jiniouiit is 
small and may make Ihe j^i-owiu};- ol" only a I'ew cro|)s impossi- 
ble. Some crops will slaiul more jilUali than others. The prac- 
ticability (d' installin;;: ii'i'i^at ion systems is somelinu's delei*- 
niine<l b,\ a soil surxcy. 

When it is rt^ali/ed Ihal Iheie are almost an inlinile nund)er 



Ildtr I'lirit Sdiii ('(1)1 1/(1/) 



'I') 



<)l" v;ifi;it ions in llic soil 1 liiwuif^lioul. Ilic coiinlry jind tliiil \'v(t- 
(liK^nlly only Ji, .sli^lil, ^\\n'('^•(^n^^^', in IIk; icxturc! of ;i soil juid its 
\;ir-ious |»ro|)ci'l ics Muiy inlhn'ncr IIk- ^cowlli of cci-lnin croits 
l() ;i iii;ir-lsc(l <'\l,((n1, it. will ])('. seen lli;i1, Mk; ni;ikin^' of ;i. soil 
HUfVcy ni\<\ IIk; proper cljissilicjit ion of ;ill of llicsc vju'ijil ions 
is }i, irnirrKnotli nndcrtnkiii}^'. '^riic men <'niployc(l in this ii;vcni 
work live, diicdy I'roni the Tiir'ni. 'rin'y li;ivc Ijikcii (toiu'scs in 
Mic, hiJKJinj^ Ayr-iculliirjil (!oII(!J^('h of llic country and aside iVoin 
tlicir prjicticnl knowledge of nj^rif'ultnrjd riijittcrs tlicy have 
a,(Mpiirc(|, lliroiij^li special study, aeeuralc IcnowlcMJ^'e of the 
soil and its rnnctions I'r'oiii a seieidilie, as well as a practical 
standpoiid. Tlicse men are experts and tlie cxperiiMKM! vvliictli 
tlicy have and wliicli they are jic-tpiirin^ as the work prof^'rcsses. 
makes them ol" ^^real \'alne to the af^ricnll iiral interests ol" tin; 
iinlion. 

The real value of a soil survey can harvlly he over-e.st inuited. 
In tli(! first placM- it, constitutes what mij^dd he calle(| an inven- 
tory ol'tJK! soil and a^j^ricnltural i'(^sour('es of the region (!OV('r(!d. 
In any line of hnsiness it is necessary to know what th(> r(!- 
sources ol" the concei-n are hefoi'e it is safe to launch any husi- 
tH!SS campaiji;!!. So it, is also necessary to ha,v(! a, delinil(! and 
uccur'atc knovvl(Mlt.j(! ol' tlu^ soil b(d'ore IIk; a^ri(Mdl,iir<t of any 
\'('fs;\()U can he most snccessrully and hij^hly developed. The soil 
surwey sliou'd I'orm the hasis for- all future! soil work vvhii'h 
may he carrieil on hy the nation, the stale or the individual. 
To the residerd, of the county in which the survey is ma(l(! it 
{.;ives an acciir-ale account, of tlu! soil (conditions existinj,' 
Ihl-ouj^jhoul that, ar<'a. It, ^ives ideas as to the l)esl, methods 
of cultivation, fertilization, crop rotations which slioidd he 
followed on the various types of soil and it fr'e(|uenlly paves 
the way for the int coduct ion ol" ih'W crops which may Ix; ])etter 
adapted to the soils than the crops commonly j^i'own. To tin^ 
man livin<^' outside of the ar-ea, surveyed, perhaps in soriu! dis- 
tant, state;, it j^ives rcliahh; information conce^rtnu^' all soil and 
ns^i'lcultural iiudliu-s whi(di In; should know in caHo he rtuiy con- 



30 Ilinfs to Homeseekers 

template moving into the region surveyed. Where surveys 
have been made in newly developing sections the soil maps and 
reports are of untold value to all prospective settlers. They 
furnish detailed information regarding particular localities 
which could not be obtained from any other sources. If, for 
example, a person were contemplating the purchase of a farm 
in Baldwin County, Alabama, and had received only the pub- 
lications of the real estate dealers who are interested in that 
section, he would naturally desire, or he should desire, informa- 
tion from other and more reliable sources. By writing to the 
Chief, Bureau of Soils, Washington, D. C, he could secure a 
soil map and report of Baldwin County free of charge. This 
map shows the character of soil on every section of land, all 
roads, schools, churches, towns, railroads and streams and the 
report gives a careful, unbiased description of the various soils, 
the extent to which they are improved and the crops to which 
they are best adapted. It gives an account of the labor condi- 
tions within the area, transportation facilities, public roads, 
markets and the extent to which various parts of the county 
are developed. It gives the average price of land on the dif- 
ferent soils and furnishes as a whole a vast fund of reliable 
information which could not possibly be duplicated in several 
years' time by the average man making a personal investiga- 
tion. 

It is not advocated that these reports should be used for the 
purpose of selecting land without first seeing it, for the selec- 
tion of land in this way is never advisable. If, however, one 
should be called upon to make a decision concei-ning land in a 
certain locality these reports and maps should be consulted for 
they furnish reliable data which cannot be secured in any other 
way. 

Soil survey work has been done in every state and territory 
in the United States and a number of the states are now co- 
operating with the Bureau of Soils for the purpose of complet- 
ing the survey of these particular states in the least possible 



How Uncle Sam Can Help 31 

time. As the work is done largely by counties and as the soil 
mapping has been in progress for over twelve years it will be 
realized that there has been accumulated a vast fund of valu- 
able data concerning the soil and agricultural resources of the 
country. While it is not possible to secure soil survey reports 
of every county in any state it is possible to get reports and 
maps from all the chief agricultural divisions of the country. 
From these very valuable general information can be secured 
wliich is applicable to much of the country adjoining the region 
surveyed and which is specific for the area actually covered. 

It is urged that a more extensive use be made of the soil sur- 
vey reports, especially by those who contemplate buying a 
farm, either large or small, in some section of the country with 
which they are not familiar. Get a soil survey report of the 
county to which you think of going, or of a county near by 
and read it over carefully. Examine the map and study the 
soil type descriptions and the general conditions which are 
reported to prevail there. If conditions seem favorable one 
may then go and select a farm. If conditions do not appear 
favorable and if it is still desired to make a change it would 
be advisable to get reports covering other sections. Soil sur- 
vey reports and map may be secured free of cost by writing 
to the Chief, Bureau of Soils, Washington, D. C. Any informa- 
tion desired concerning irrigation projects may be secured 
from the Reclamation Service, U. S. Geological Survey, Wash- 
ington, D. C. The congressman from one's home district may 
also be called upon for any of these reports. 



CHAPTER V. 

HOW A CITY FAMILY SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED A 

FARM.* 

INTRODUCTION. 

This chapter is a record of the experience of a city family 
that moved onto a farm in 1892. The father had been a lawyer 
by profession, the manager for a well-established business firm 
in one of the principal cities of the Middle West, and was earn- 
ing a salary of $3,000 a year. At sixty years of age, having 
been in business about twenty-five years, he was compelled 
on account of ill health to abandon his profession and business. 
There were ten children in the family, ranging from two to 
twenty-one years of age, of whom seven were boys. 

Under these conditions, with available capital amounting to 
about $10,000, which had been partly saved in business and 
partly received by inheritance, the family decided to buy a 
farm and attempt to solve the problem confronting them, 
namely, "to make a living, educate the children, and make a 
pleasant home." This chapter will tell how they satisfactorily 
solved the problem, and while this is not a story of typical farm 
life, it shows what courage, energy, business ability, and mod- 
erate capital may accomplish on a farm. The fact that this 
farmer has been successful without previous experience or spe- 
cial training, following systematically the ordinary cropping 
system and methods of tillage, with the exercise of good judg- 
ment, shows that the chances for success in farming are as good 
as in most business enterprises. 

An attempt will be made to present such facts about this 



* This chapter has been taken from Farmers' Bulletin No. 432 of the 
Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



How a City Family Managed a Farm * 33 

farm as will enable the reader to comprehend under what con- 
ditions and by what means the results were accomplished; 
hence, a description of the farm and the methods of opera.ting 
it will be given in some detail. It is not intended to indicate 
in this description ideal methods of farming. As a model of 
farm management from the standpoint of maintaining soil fer- 
tility and thus obtaining large crop yields this chapter will 
have no special interest. The methods of keeping accounts 
suggested in the tables have been the instruments through 
which this farmer has kept track of his business, but they are 
not given as model forms. The description given is rather for 
the purpose of enabling the reader to get the point of view and 
spirit of the family in meeting the problems of life and realiz- 
ing their ideals on a farm. 

It is believed that this farmer has, by his experience, an- 
swered the chief objections to farming as an occupation and to 
a farm as a place for establishing an ideal home. These ob- 
jections, as usually stated, are that farming is not as remunera- 
tive as other occupations for the same ability and effort ex- 
pended, that the family is deprived of desirable educational 
and social opportunities, and that the labor is too hard and 
uninspiring, especially for the women. The record will also 
show how some important social, economic, and technical farm 
problems have been worked out; for instance, the farm-labor 
problem, the household problem, the training of children in 
responsibility in management, and the doing of farm work in 
a way to meet the requirement of a normal social life and of 
cultivated intellectual tastes. It is also believed that a narra- 
tive of American farm life, such as this, will demonstrate not 
only the possibilities but the desirability and dignity of farm- 
ing as an occupation. 

While the OAvner of the farm wishes to avoid publicity, he is 
willing that the results of his experience be made known in 
order that other city men may feel safe in attempting to sup- 
port and educate their families in this manner. 
S 



34 Hints to Homeseekers 

A diary and a financial record were kept on this farm for a 
period of seventeen years. The facts here given are based upon 
these records. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE FARM. 

When the family began country life in 1892 the farm con- 
sisted of 300 acres * in a much run-down condition. It was an 
old farm, having been located and surveyed about the middle 
of the eighteenth century. The old house, which had been 
built about 100 years ago, was still substantial. In a remod- 
eled form it is now the kitchen of a modern house. Much of 
the land had been allowed to grow up in bushes and young 
trees. The barns and fences were out of repair, so that the 
place as a whole presented a dilapidated appearance. The farm 
had been rented out and had produced a gross income of 
about $700 a year. 

The location is in the beautiful and fertile region known as 
the Shenandoah Valley, the middle section of the great Appa- 
lachian Valley which extends from the northeast corner of 
Pennsylvania to central Alabama. It is about 100 miles from 
a seaboard city and is accessible to railways leading to New 
York and to the large cities of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. 
In this section there are now good turnpike roads. One of 
these passes the farm and leads to a shipping point three miles 
distant and to the county town of 3,500 inhabitants, three and 
one-half miles distant. 

The soil here is residual, formed from a limestone of the 
Cambro-Silurian age, having a rich brown color and, accord- 
ing to the classification adopted by the Bureau of Soils of the 
Department of Agriculture, is a clay loam of the Hagerstown 
series. 



* About eighty acres were added to the farm a few years later, mak- 
ing the entire farm consist of 380 acres. 



How a City FarniJij Managed a Farm 



35 



CAPITAL AND OTHER RESOURCES. 

The inventory taken January 1, 1892 (see Table I), showed 
that the land with improvements was valued at $55 an acre, 
the whole farm and equipment being worth $19,707. The debt 
on the farm, $8,459, and money borrowed for fertilizer, $220, 
made the total liabilities $8,679, which, deducted from the 
above assets, left a balance of $11,028, which constituted the 
"present worth" of farm and equipment at that date. 




Fig. 1. — Plan of the farm, showing the arrangement of fields, buildings, 

etc. 



36 /lints to Ilomeseekers 

ARRANGEMENT OF THE FIELDS. 

The general management of tlie farm seems to have been 
well thought out from tlie first. Tlie farm was laid out origi- 
nally about as it appears at present, and with slight changes 
to fit conditions the cropping system was the same as now. 
The plan of the fann (fig. 1) shows the convenient arrange- 
ment of the fields. 

Special attention was given to laying out the farm. All the 
fields except F may be reached within 650 yards of the barn- 
yard. Field F is within half a mile. The fields are as long as 
can be arranged in accordance with the general farm plan. 
This is regarded as an important feature in the arrangement, 
since the time saved during the year in turning corners when 
plowing and in doing other farm operations is considerable. 
The gate to each field is placed at the corner nearest the barn, 
and workmen are required to leave implements at the gate 
when coming in from the fields. The lane leading to the fields 
is thirty feet wide ; except for the wagon track it is grown up in 
bluegrass, so there is practically no waste on its account. A well, 
eighty feet deep, located in field G, supplies water by windmill 
to a cement trough, which is so ])laced that it furnishes water in 
two fields and may be reached easily through the lane from other 
fields. 

CROPPING SYSTEM. 

The general crop history of each field may be worked out from 
the following system of rotation : Corn, wheat, wheat, grass for 
hay, pasture, corn. Usually two wheat crops follow in succes- 
sion, and now and then if the stand of grass is not good it is 
plowed up, put into corn, and reseeded the next year to wheat. 
On the plat (fig. 1) are shown the crops raised on each field in 
1908-9, the plan for the rotation of fields during 1910 being 
as follows: B, pasture; C, corn; D, hay; E, wheat; F, Wheat; 
G, pasture; H, wheat; and I, pasture. This Avill give the fol- 
lowing acreage of crops: Wheat, ninety-five acres; corn, forty 



How a City Family Mcmaged a Farm 37 

acres ; hay, forty-nine acres, including alfalfa ; pasture, seventy- 
eight acres, besides the permanent pasture. 

There are thus 262 acres which have been farmed in the five or 
six year rotation for nearly seventeen years. During this time 
the division of crops, which have been run in rotation, has been 
on the average as follows: Com, forty-seven acres; wheat, 
eighty acres; and hay and pasture, about 135 acres. It is to be 
added, however, that field M, which is now in orchard, was put 
in some field crop up to the time the trees were six or seven 
years old. The bearing orchard, fiften acres, is now fourteen 
years old and the remainder, fifteen acres, is in one and two 
year old trees. The young orchard is in corn, making the total 
acreage of corn fifty-five acres. 

On field II, five acres of alfalfa were sown in the fall of 1908. 
The alfalfa was not able to crowd out weeds, especially the sor- 
rel, which for a time threatened to take the crop. During the 
spring and summer of 1900 the field was disked twice and har- 
rowed two or three times with a spring-tooth harrow, and in 
September a heavy coating of lime was applied as a top dress- 
ing. On September 23, 1909, the alfalfa was vigorous and the 
indications were that it would continue to thrive. 

WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE. 

The barn lots, dwelling, and permanent pasture fields are sup- 
plied from a well near the premises. By means of a steam en- 
gine the water is lifted into a tank and distributed through pipes 
where needed. The dwelling is equipped with modern conven- 
iences, such as bathroom, water-closet, lavatories, and hot water. 
The sewage is distributed through tiles in the orchard. The en- 
tire system was planned by the owner and the work was done 
by labor on the farm. 

BUILDINGS. 

The buildings have been constructed from the point of view 
of economy in expense and convenience in use. There are good, 



38 Hints to Homeseekers 

substantial horse and cow barns. Their location has been 
planned in accordance with principles of economy in getting to 
the fields on the farm. The cow bam and lots are so placed 
that all the fields may be reached directly. Stock can not inter- 
fere with other buildings and premises. Horses may be taken 
to the fields by opening one gate. The wagon shed is so con- 
structed that the teams are simply driven through the shed and 
the wagons left standing in their proper places. No labor and 
time are consumed in pulling or pushing the wagons into place. 

LABOR. 

The System of Employment. 

The farm laborers, who are hired by the year, have families, 
and live in houses built especially for their use. Reference to 
the farm plan will show their location. One acre of ground goes 
with each of the houses for a family garden. Barn room and 
the necessary outbuildings for stock belonging to the laborers 
are also furnished. 

The plan of housing laborers in separate quarters is followed, 
first, to secure privacy and freedom in the home and to relieve 
the household from extra labor. Second, experience shows that 
it is possible to secure better service by having men with fami- 
lies. This plan has been followed with but few exceptions from 
the first and has been quite satisfactory to the family and to 
the men. As a rule these men have been recruited from fac- 
tories, railroads, and mines. They are secured by offering in- 
ducements not usually given on farms. Ten hours of labor, for 
instance, is all that is required, and usually a part holiday on 
Saturday. Sometimes a whole day is given as time 'off to work 
their gardens, etc. Any special service or extra good work is 
rewarded in some way. 

The standard money wages paid is $200 a year. In addition a 
dwelling, 1 acre of garden, one cow and pasture, and firewood 
are furnished. Remuneration beyond this is dependent upon 



Hoiv a City Family Managed a Farm 39 

the quality of service. If satisfactory service has been given 
during the first year $25 extra is paid in cash and five barrels 
of corn to fatten hogs. After two years of satisfactory service 
$50 in cash and ten barrels of corn are given at the end of each 
year. If wheat is put in satisfactorily and the crop is good, 
thirty bushels of wlicat in the mill is added to the income of the 
hiborer's family. The laborer may keep as many fowls as he 
chooses, inclosed. He has the same area of garden as his em- 
ployer's family and may sell as much as he likes from it. 

This plan has enabled the majority of the laborers who have 
lived on this farm to accumulate a sufficient amount of capital 
to take up farming for themselves. Some have become owners 
of farms. The employer takes pains to teach his men good farm- 
ing methods. 

At least one of the laborers is expected to have sufficient me- 
chanical ability to do all needed repairing and to help with the 
construction of buildings on the farm. For this purpose there 
is a well-equipped blacksmith and carpenter shop. This pro 
vides work on rainy days and in the winter. 

Relation between Owner and Laborer. 

The proprietor takes a personal interest in the welfare of the 
laborer and his family. He holds that good work can not be se- 
cured unless the laborer is contented and gives his services cheer- 
fully. Mutual good will develops when the employer is careful 
in the selection of his men and permits them to share in the gen- 
eral success of the farm. In 1909 the best laborer on the farm, 
the man longest in service, concluded to begin farming for him- 
self. The employer bought twenty acres of land for him, which 
will be paid for in small sums, as he can afford to make pay- 
ments. 

Economical Use of Labor. 

The economical use of labor is one of the most .serious prob- 
lems in farming. This farmer has plans drawn for the remodel- 



40 Hints to Homeseekers 

ing, of buildings, the changing of fences, and the erection of new 
buildings. ' ' I make these plans as they come into my mind, ' ' he 
says, "and when labor can not be profitably used in the fields 
it is employed in carrying out these plans. As a rule, I plan 
ahead for my farm work and find that it pays, since we lose no 
time and labor can always be profitably employed." 

During the winter of 1909-10 a new tenant house was planned 
by the owner and largely constructed by the regular farm labor, 
with such other help as could be obtained in the community. 
The large barn on the farm was built entirely by the men and 
boys of the family and two laborers. 

FAMILY DISCIPLINE AND OCCUPATION. 

The occupations and labor of the family are not arranged from 
the standpoint of economic results, but in accordance with the 
principles stated in the introduction — that of properly training 
the children and making the home pleasant. 

In the home the children, from the time they were old 
-enough to perform any service, have been required "to do some- 
thing for the profit or welfare of the family before having any 
breakfast. ' ' The work done by the family in the house was sys- 
tematized in such a way that each member when old enough 
assumed responsibility for some of the work. This system of 
training is adapted to the requirements of farm life. There 
have been developed on the farm industries such as dairying, 
poultry keeping, gardening, orcharding, and general farming. 
At the present time one son makes the app^.e orchard his spe- 
cialty. A daughter is responsible for the poultry and another 
for the marketing of produce and the bookkeeping. The mother 
does the cooking and superintends the dairy. The father super- 
intends the whole farm, sees that crops are properly put in and 
cultivated, and that the stock is well eared for. He is in touch 
with every operation on the farm and inspects all the work that 
is done. 

Special attention is given to the care of the work horses. 



How a City Family Managed a Farm 41 

Every evening the shoulders of work horses are bathed with coh.i 
water. At noon in summer the laborers are given an extra half 
hour to unharness and rehamess the horses. As a result of this 
special care, sore shoulders on horses are seldom known on this 
farm. 

THE HOUSEWORK PROBLEM. 

No regular house servants are kept in the home. The work of 
housekeeping is done by the mother and two daughters. The 
laundry work is done outside. All heavy work, and such labor 
as caring for the garden, etc., is done by the men. The cooking 
arrangements are planned to economize labor and make it as 
easy as possible. A hotwater tank is connected with the plumb- 
ing system, so that plenty of hot and cold water can be had at 
any time. This arrangement, combined with a large sink from 
which waste is carried to the sewer, eliminates most of the con- 
ditions which tend to "make housework drudgery. Utensils are 
kept in their proper places, so that they can be reached with the 
fewest possible steps. 

THE FARM GARDEN. 

The garden, consisting of about one acre of land, is an impor- 
tant feature in the management of this farm. The crops shown 
on the diagram (fig. 2) are those planted in 1909. Besides the 
vegetables and small fruits for family use, the garden brings 
an income of about $200 a year, the products being exchanged 
for groceries. This pays the expenses of the table. The princi- 
pal money crops from the garden are kale, spinach, winter onions 
(sold in early spring), tomatoes, and cantaloupes. Kale and 
spinach are not common crops in this section and a ready market 
has always been found for them. Others, however, are begin- 
ning to raise kale on their own account, so that more spinach is 
now being raised on this farm. Prices have ranged from forty 
to sixty cents a bushel for kale and sixty to eighty cents a bushel 



42 



Hints to Ilomeseekers 



for spinach. From 250 to 300 bushels an acre is considered a 
good crop. Besides being raised for the market, kale is used as 
a general winter cover crop in the garden. 

210 Ft. 



3 

O 

5 


Row of Grapes 

15 Rows of spinach 


s 


6 Rows Of kale 


ce 

o 

CM 


Kale as cover crop 

Late corn in roasting ears 


4 Row cantaloups 




1 Row oyster plants 




3 Rows late tomatoes for October and November market 




I Row kale or spinach 




2 Rows lima beans 




1 Row celery 




2 Rows early tomatoes 




1 Row cabbag-e 




7 Rows sug-ar beets 




11 Rows winter onions 




2 Rows late corn 




2 Rows strawberries 




3 Rows Cuthbert raspberries 




Old strawberry bed 




Asparagfus bed 



Fig. 2. — Plat of farm garden showing crops grown in 1909. 
A specialty has been made of raising late tomatoes to be put 
on the market when this fruit is scarce. Tomatoes are sold from 



Jtloio a City Family Managed a Farm 43 

this garden about the last of October and in November. Most 
of the products are sold by telephone to the merchants in the 
town and villages in the county. 

A row of grapes occupies the space along the fence at one end 
of the garden. There are also four short rows outside, not 
marked on the diagram. The vines are trimmed in winter, but 
receive no other special care. When the fruit is formed in early 
spring the bunches are bagged with two-pound grocery bags, tied 
securely with a string about the base of the stem. It is stated 
that these bagged bunches will stay well preserved on the vines 
until frozen off. The bunches still hanging on the vines un- 
bagged were badly diseased and rotted on September 23. 

THE ORCHARD. 

Field M (see fig. 1) is now planted in orchard, fifteen acres 
of which is in the bearing stage. With the exception of a few 
old trees near the house this orchard is twelve to fourteen years 
old. The trees were planted in the ordinary manner about thirty 
feet apart, cultivated in crops for six to ten years, then seeded 
to grass and clover. At two different times a bushel of wood 
ashes was put around each tree. This year manure was hauled 
between the rows and spread about ten feet from the trees. 
Since it has been in grass the orchard has been pastured by 
sheep and hogs. The branches are thinned out in the dormant 
season, being trimmed mostly at the top. The trees are sprayed 
four times a year, twice for the San Jose scale and twice for 
the codling moth. There is a space of about half an acre with 
no trees. The orchard had become infested with the San Jose 
scale and the infested trees were cut out before the proprietor 
learned how to deal with this pest. 

Reference to the table of receipts and expenditures will show 
that this orchard has been bringing in a substantial income for 
three years. Last year 800 barrels of apples were marketed at 
$2.10 a barrel. The varieties grown for market are the Ben Davis 



44 Hints to Homeseekers 

and York Imperial. It is planned to increase the size of the 
orchard until it reaches about 100 acres. 

WOODLAND AND PERMANENT PASTURE. 

About thirty acres of the farm in one tract is in forest, con- 
taining many large and valuable oak, hickory, elm, and walnut 
trees. The field marked "K," in which are many of these trees, 
is known as ''The Refuge." Squirrels play without fear in this 
field. "Where the trees have been thinned out in the woodland, 
bluegrass has come up luxuriantly, so that the greater part of 
fields A, J, and K furnish fine pasture in the early spring. 

STOCK. 

In the inventory of January 1, 1905, 182 head of live stock 
were recorded, and on January 1, 1909, there were 200. Aver- 
aged for the past five years the proportion of different Idnds of 
live stock is about as follows : Horses, ten ; cows and stock cattle, 
forty ; young cattle, ten ; hogs, thirty-five ; and sheep, about 100. 
On the average about 160 acres remain in pasture. To show that 
this farm has about the right area in pasture, the following es- 
timate of pasture area for each class of stock is given : 

40 cows and stock cattle 80 acres. 

10 young cattle 15 acres. 

35 hogs 10 acres. 

100 sheep 40 acres. 

10 horses and colts 15 acres. 

160 acres. 

The dairy department of the farm maintains on the average 
eight to ten cows. Butter is made and sold in the local, markets. 
It is found to be more profitable to buy young steers and keep 
them a year than to buy and feed the same year. 

Sheep have always been kept on the farm and the profit in 
them is very satisfactory. 

Ten horses and two or three colts are kept on the place. Seven 
horses are used for farm work and three for driving. 



IIow a City Famihj Managed a Farm 45 

TILLAGE. 

Three-horse plows are run from nine to ten inches deep for 
both com and wheat. No guessing is allowed on this point, since 
the furrows are measured frequently to see that the required 
depth is maintained. 

The ground for wheat is prepared in the following manner: 
As soon after harvest as possible the stubble groimd is plowed. 
It is harrowed, then rolled and harrowed again, the second time 
with a spike-tooth harrow. A spring-tooth harrow precedes the 
drill. The wheat is sowed about September 25. Wheat to fol- 
low corn is put in as soon as possible after the corn is cut, the 
land being prepared by running a disk harrow over the field 
and then a spring-tooth harrow. Sometimes the spring-tooth 
harrow alone is deemed sufficient. The land is then drilled the 
same as the plowed ground. 

Corn is planted on land which has been in pasture. Before 
plowing the ground is covered with stable manure. After plow- 
ing it is pulverized with a disk harrow and cross-harrowed be- 
fore the planter. It is harrowed once after planting and then 
cultivated with two-horse cultivators, the last time or two very 
shallow. 

FERTILIZERS. 

The manure spreader is regarded as one of the most important 
implements on the farm. By means of it, it has been possible 
during the past few years to cover about seventy-five acres of the 
farm each year with stable manure. 

It is a common practice in this section to use commercial fer- 
tilizers when sowing wheat and grass. The fertilizer is mixed on 
the farm. It consists of a mixture of one-half of ground raw 
bone, containing twenty-two per cent of phosphoric acid and two 
and one-half per cent of nitrogen, and one-half of South Caro- 
lina ground rock, containing sixteen per cent of phosphoric acid. 
It has not been the practice on the farm to plow under green 
crops, although the benefit of such practice is recognized. A 



46 Hints to Homeseekers 

straw mulch has been put on part of a field at different times 
and plowed under. The results have been good. One year the 
plowing under of straw alongside of land well manured gave 
about the same results as manured land. In the year 1909 on 
field D, a part of the wheat stubble was mowed soon after harv- 
est to serve as a mulch. On the ground that was mowed the 
clover was taller and more vigorous on September 2. The differ- 
ence was to be seen also on September 23. The year 1909 being 
very dry, this covering no doubt prevented the evaporation of 
moisture and thus aided the clover in malting a better growth. 

FINANCIAL RECORD OP THE FARM. 

hive^itories. 

A simple but quite complete record of results on this farm has 
been kept from the time the farm was purchased until the pres- 
ent time. This is in the form of a diary and a bookkeeping rec- 
ord. On January 1 of each year an inventory was made. Tables 
I, II, and III show inventories for the j'ears 1892, 1905, and 
1909, which give a good idea of the development of the farm and 
particularly of the increase in its value. Under the heading 
"Plant" are given the real estate and the live .stock and machin- 
ery which are used in operating the farm. Under the heading 
"Materials and supplies" are given feed and salable grain and 
animal products; also live stock which may be sold or used to 
replace older stock for breeding and dairy purposes. 

In 1892 the value of the plant was $18,167; in 1905 it was 
$32,365; in 1909 it amounted to $41,972. It will be seen that 
the value of the plant has more than doubled during the seven- 
teen-year period. The net income has more than doubled also 
so that the increased valuation of the real estate could properly 
be based on the income. 



How a City Family Managed a Farm 47 

Table I. — Inventory of the farm, January 1, JS92. 

Item. Value. Total. 

ASSETS.' 
Plant: 

Land, including improvements, etc., 300 acres, at $55 

an acre $16,500 

House furniture, etc 1,000 

Live stock — 

2 horses, at $100 $200 

8 cows and heifers, at $25 200 

8 hogs, at $4 32 

432 

Machinery and tools — 

Farm wagon 50 

Buggy 50 

Harness, etc 30 

Drill and plows 85 

Harrow 18 

Forks 2 

235 

Materials and supplies: 

Feed and salable products on hand — 

Hay for stock, 30 tons, at $5 150 

Grain for stock, 70 barrels corn, at $2 140 

290 

Live stock — 

2 colts, at $60 120 

27 head stock cattle, at $30 810 

930 

Growing wheat, 80 acres 320 

19,707 
LIABILITIES. 
Debt on 300-acre farm 8,459 

Debt for fertilizer and drill 220 

8,679 

Present worth of farm and equipment 11,028 

1 The classification of items in these inventories is intended to show 
approximately the amount of capital invested in land and equipment and 
the value of farm products on hand. The part of material and supplies 
needed for the plant equipment is necessarily indefinite. It is therefore 
regarded as more desirable to include the value of such items under "Ma- 
terials and supplies." 

Table II. — Inventory of the farm, January 1, 1903. 

Item. Value. Total. 



Plant: 

Land, including buildings. 


ASSETS, 
etc., 380 acres at $75 an 


$550 

280 

60 

40 

435 


$28,500 






1,500 


Live stock — 












1 bull 












87 sheep 







48 



Hints to Homeseekers 



Machinery and tools — 

Farm machinery and implements 400 

Hand tools 100 

Carriages and wagons 400 

Harness 100 

Materials and supplies: 

Feed and salable products on hand — 

30 tons of hay 240 

250 barrels of corn 562 

Bacon, flour, and potatoes • 150 

Fodder and straw 100 

Oats and flaxseed meal 60 

Live stock — 

4 heifers 100 

7 yearlings 140 

3 calves 30 

37 head feeding cattle 1,245 

23 shoats 75 

2 colts 100 

Growing wheat, 92 acres 

LIABILITIES. 

Due on f arin 

Present worth of farm and equipment 



1.000 



1,112 



1,690 
555 

35,722 



8,500 
27,222 



Table III. — Inventory of the farm, January 1, 1909. 

Item. Value. 

ASSETS. 

Plant: 

Land, including buildings, etc., 380 acres, at $95 an 
acre 

House furniture, etc 

Live stock — 

6 work horses. 3 driving horses $1,350 

17 cows, at $50 850 

1 bull 50 

3 brood sows 60 

1 boar 12 

100 sheep , 700 

Machinery and tools — - — 

Farm machinerv and implements i 600 

Hand tools 150 

Wagon and carriages 400 

Harness 200 

Materials and supplies: 

Feed and salable products on hand — 

100 barrels of corn 300 

60 tons of hay 560 

Bacon, flour, and foodstuffs on hand 150 

Oats 20 

Fodder and straw 100 



Total. 



$36,100 
1,500 



3,022 



1,350 



1,130 



Eow a City Family Managed a Farm 49 

Live stock — 

2 colts 120 

18 fat cattle 1,260 

15 heifers and calves '375 

34 hogs 170 

1.925 

Growing wheat, 98 acres 585 



Total resources 45,612 

LIABILITIES. 
Due on farm 6 503 



Present worth of farm and equipment 39,109 



RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. 

The items in Table IV are taken from the books kept on the 
farm. This record includes five years — from 1904 to 1909. Some 
of the items in this table are estimates; for instance, grain and 
hay fed to stock. The amount of such materials produced on 
the farm is known quite accurately, however. The amount sold 
plus the amount on hand subtracted from the amount produced 
gives the amount of such products fed. The records are, of 
course, far from complete, yet the net income is shown with a 
fair degree of accuracy. 

Table IV. — Receipts and expenditures on the farm, 1904 to 1909, inclu- 

sive. 

RECEIPTS. 
Item. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909. 

Cattle, including 

fat cattle sold. $1,381.87 $2,684.39 $200.00 $500.00 $1,937.00 $700.00 
Sheep, lambs, 

and wool 400.00 

V^^heat 1,480.30 

Corn 765.00 

Oats 112.00 

Hay 490.00 

Pork products . . . 72.00 

Live hogs 50.00 135.00 300.00 200.00 475.00 75b.od 

Poultry, dairy, 

and garden 

products 350.00 375.00 400.00 400.00 600.00 600.00 

Wood 180.00 

Apples 500.00 1,427.00 512.00 1,680.00 



400.00 


500.00 


550.00 


550.00 


750.00 


1,230.00 


751.00 


1,557.00 


1,157.00 


1,682.00 


969.50 


600.00 


1,000.00 


750.00 
60.00 


900.00 
75.00 




700.66 


800.00 


900.00 


960.00 



Total receipts $5,281.17 $6,293.89 $3,451.00 $6,434.00 $6,941.00 $8,097.0a 
4 



50 



Hints to Homeseekers 



EXPENDITURES. 



Item. 



1904. 



1905. 



1906. 



1907. 



1908. 



1909. 



Labor ' 


$500.00 
170.00 


$400.00 
150.00 


$450.00 
138 00 


$500.00 
145 00 


$700.00 
140 00 


$700.00 
168.00 
400.00 


Taxes 


Farm supplies . . . 


250.00 


;ioo.oo 


300.00 


300.00 


200.00 


Interest on debt. 


360.00 


360.00 


360.00 


344.00 


260.00 


240.00 


Fertilizer 


150.00 


135.00 


116.50 


147.86 


185.39 


185.39 


Seed 


211.00 


212.00 


150.00 


150.00 


197.50 


188.00 


Grain and hay for 














stock (produced 














on farm and 














fed) 


600.00 


550.00 


400.00 


600.00 


750.00 


600.00 


Cattle bought for 














feeding 


650.00 


1,763.00 






781.24 




Hogs for feeding. 




36.00 










J3xtra labor pick- 














ing apples, etc.. 








300.00 




418.00 


Total expendi- 














ture 


$2,791.00 


$3,906.00 


$1,914.50 
$1,536.50 


$2,486.86 
$3,947.14 


$3,214.13 
$3,726.87 


$2,899.39 


Net income' 


$2,490.17 


$2,387.89 


$5,197.61 



' The labor of the family is not counted as an item of expense. 
"Net income, as understood on this farm, includes Interest on invest- 
ment, profits, and reward for the labor of the family. 



CORN AND WHEAT. 



Tables V and VI relate to corn and wheat production. The 
average yield of wheat during these years was eighteen bushels 
an acre; that of corn nearly forty bushels (eight barrels) an 
acre. These were fair yields, somewhat above the average for 
this region. The average cast per acre of raising wheat, as given 
in this table, is $6 an acre. In this estimate the rent of land 
and the cost of superintendence are not included. It is believed 
that these figures fairly represent the cost of raising wheat in 
this region. 

The tables show no record of the cost of raising corn. The 
owner estimates, however, that it costs more to rais'e com than 
wheat. 

Hay on this farm is handled by modern machinery. It has 
produced on the average about one and one-quarter tons per acre. 



How a City Family Managed a Farm 



51 



Tabt.e v. — Yield and cost of wheat crop, 1S92 to 100S, inclusive. 







Cost of 


Total 












fertili- 


cost 


Total 


Selling 


Profit 




Yield 


zer per 


per 


cost per 


price per 


per 


Area. 


per acre. 


acre. 


acre.i 


bushel. 


bushel. 


acre. 


Acres. 


Bushels. 












63 


21 


$2.70 


$7.56 


$0.36 


$0.60 


$5.04 


73 


26% 


2.12 


5.78 


.22 


.47 


6.64 


55 


19 


1.20 


4.69 


.24 


.66 


7.85 


68 


18 


.90 


4.65 


.25 


.60 


6.15 


55 


25 


1.12 


4.30 


.17 


.75 


14.10 


64 


22 


1.35 


5.95 


.27 


1.00 


16.05 


701/3 


15 


1.64 


6.32 


.42 


.66 


3.58 


112 


23 1-3 


1.41 


6.41 


.27 


.70 


9.92 


82 


17 


1.25 


6.04 


.35 


.68 


5.52 


90 


121/2 . 


1.70 


6.71 


.53 


.70 


2.05 


100 


10 


1.17 


6.30 


.63 


.78 


1.50 


100 


15 


.98 


4.80 


.32 


.85 


7.95 


91 


17 


1.17 


6.84 


.40 


.80 


6.76 


871/2 


20 


1.55 


6.96 


.34 


.86 


10.34 


77^ 


13 


2.38 


7.40 


.57 


.74 


2.21 


78 


16 


1.35 


6.92 


.43 


.89 


7.32 


95 


16 


2.00 


5.47 


.34 


1.15 


12.93 



Year. 



1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 112 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 100 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

^ The cost of labor, seed, and fertilizer is included in the estimated cost 
for each year, the labor being estimated on the basis of what it would 
cost to hire the work done at the market price. 

Table VI. — Yie.ld of corn and price per harrel of crop, 1892 to 1908, in- 
clusive. 



Year. 



Total Yield Price per 
Area. yield, per acre barrel. 
Acres. Barrels. Barrels. 



1892 44 

1893 55 

1*894 45 

1895 50 

1896 55 

1897 40 

1898 40 

1899 30 

1900 60 

1901 55 

1902 58 

1903 60 

1904 38 

1905 42 

1906 40 

1907 44 

1908 44 



440 


10.0 


$2.00 


169 


3.1 


2.00 


291 


6.5 


1.25 


293 


5.9 


1.50 


445 


8.1 


1.00 


306 


7.6 


1.25 


251 


6.3 


1.25 


187 


6.2 


1.50 


438 


7.3 


1.75 


545 


9.9 


2.25 


488 


8.4 


2.00 


450 


7.5 


2.00 


340 


9.0 


2.25 


491 


11.7 


2.00 


320 


8.0 


2.00 


397 


9.0 


2.50 


300 


6.8 


2.50 



WHAT THE FARM HAS BEEN MADE TO ACCOMPLISH FOR THE FAMILY. 

An attempt has been made thus far in the record given to set 
forth the actual operations of the farm. They are not set forth 
as models. On the whole, however, they represent good farm 
practice. 



52 Hints to Ilomeseekers 

To just what degree this family has been successful depends 
upon the point of view taken. The financial record might seem 
to some disappointing, considering the amount invested and the 
number of people taking part in the labor producing these re- 
sults. In terms of dollars and cents it might not be considered a 
paying business. On the other hand, if we consider the results 
produced through the use made of the net income, the farm 
tells a different and a more satisfactory story. As was stated in 
the introduction, the intention in going on the farm was not 
primarily to increase the income, nor were money profits more 
than a secondary consideration. In the first place, the father 
was ill and was told by his physician that he could not live an- 
other year in the city if he continued his business. Some of the 
children were very young, while others were ready to enter the 
university. In order to measure success from the standpoint of 
the father and the mother we must know about the family and 
what it has accomplished and is doing. 

The boys have graduated from a state university and the girls 
have been educated by private tutors and in girls' schools. At 
the present time two sons are lawyers, one a minister, one a pro- 
fessor, one a eivil engineer, and one a farmer. The education of 
the children has cost the farm about $10,000. During the time 
the children were being educated there was no income except 
from the farm. At the present time these sons and daughters 
are profitably employed in honorable and useful occupations. 
"While but three remain on the farm, one son and two daughters, 
all are following their present callings with the end in view of 
buying farms on which to make their homes. 

Each year all members of the family, including grandchildren, 
spend their vacations on the farm. This is usually in harvest 
and haying time, so that no extra labor is hired during these 
farm operations. 

The father declares that he has improved in health every year 
since coming on the farm. Now seventy-six years of age, he su- 
perintends all farm operations and knows the details of every- 



How a City Family Managed a Farm 53 

thing that is going on. lie still enjoys good health and is fairly- 
strong, being able to walk to every part of the farm. It must 
be remembered that he came on the farm long after most farmers 
begin to think of retiring, being then sixty years of age. 

The farm work is not regarded as drudgery, and there is an 
atmosphere of reiinement about the home that indicates a whole- 
some life on the part of the family. Everyone on the farm is 
occupied with some kind of work, and the farm operations go on 
in a businesslike manner, but no one is rushed or overworked. 
The mother is well preserved and vigorous, with no trace of over- 
work, though she has always been active in the management of 
the home and farm. She believes that the farm life, on the 
whole, has been easier for her and more enjoyable than the life 
in the city. Every member of the family is in love with farm 
life and expects to live on a farm when conditions permit. 

SOCIAL AND AGRICULTURM. PROBLEMS SATISFACTORILY SOLVED. 

(1) A professional man, with no previous experience as a 
farmer, with a large and expensive family, is able to rear and edu- 
cate his children on the income of a well-located farm of 380 acres 
of good land with a modernized dwelling upon it. On a salary of 
$3,000 in the city the same amount of money could not have been 
expended on their education and a fair standard of living main- 
tained. This fact is indicated in the inventory of 1892, which 
showed the present worth of the family to be $11,028, about 
$5,000 of which represented the savings of twenty-two years, 
the remainder being inherited. The present worth of the fam- 
ily, as represented by the farm in 1909, is $37,662. About 
$15,000 of this increase in present worth is due to increase in 
land values. This leaves nearly $12,000 to represent savings 
during the period when the children were receiving their edu- 
cation. 

Business training and experience have been important factors 
in the success achieved. The father, who, at the age of seventy- 
six, still keeps in touch with all the farming operations, says: 



54 Hints to Homeseekers 

"My life as a soldier taught me how to obey and command, how 
to economize and endure. My life in the city as a lawyer in 
charge of a title and trust company taught me system and busi- 
ness methods, all of which were valuable to me on the farm. ' ' 

A fact of special importance in this record is that these re- 
sults were accomplished by following the established methods of 
farming. The yields are a little above the average for the com- 
munity, because of more thorough tillage methods, but no extra- 
ordinary yields are recorded. The diary kept by the farmer 
and the history as written show keenness and foresight in ad- 
justing crop and stock products to market conditions. The man- 
agement of farm operations, although adjusted to the comfort 
and tastes of the family, have been conducted strictly on economic 
principles. From this standpoint a problem of great interest 
and importance has been worked out on this farm. 

(2) The members of the family believe they have had more 
opportunities in the way of general culture gained by travel, 
etc., than would have been possible for them in the city. Socially 
they think there has been no essential loss; in fact, it is quite 
probable that the farm life has given better opportunities for cul- 
ture of the most wholesome kind than the city would have af- 
forded. 

(3) The labor problem has been satisfactorily solved on this 
farm. With such wages as the farm could pay, the laborers have 
been able to accumulate sufificient property in a few years to 
take up farming for themselves. At the same time the women of 
the family have been relieved of extra work and responsibility 
necessarily attending the boarding and lodging of laborers ; also 
the family life has been more homelike. The service secured in 
this way has been good, and on the whole the relations between 
employer and employed have been remarkably satisfactory. 

(4) It has been found praetieable and beneficial to train the 
children through occupations which require them to assume re- 
sponsibility. As an inducement to make the chosen line interest- 
ing and as an incentive to industry', the profits of the industries 



Eow a City Family Managed a Farm 55 

on the farm went to the children managing these departments. 
It is the testimony of all who know the family that the children 
are all efficient managers. 

(5) It has been demonstrated on this farm that an acre of gar- 
den, without any particular specialization in crop methods, can 
be made to pay the expenses of the table for a large family. 

(6) The value of agricultural literature to the farmer is 
clearly demonstrated on this farm. Asked what benefit such lit- 
erature had been to him, the father replied : " I would have been 
blind without it." The knowledge of spraying for San Jose 
scale saved a valuable orchard which is today the most profitable 
part of the farm. Fifteen or twenty well-chosen works on farm- 
ing, with selected bulletins from State experiment stations and 
from the United States Department of Agriculture, constitute 
an important part of the farm library. Several standard agri- 
cultural papers are also taken. 

A SERIOUS PROBLEM. 

Since 1905 there has been a marked increase in the income of 
this farm, due principally to the apple crop. About the same 
time a sharp advance took place in the price of field crops and of 
live stock, and these prices have advanced since. As a result of 
these conditions the net income for 1909 was $5,197.50, the larg- 
est in the history of the farm. That the advance in income is 
not due, however, to increased productivity of the soil is disclosed 
by the records of the farm. An examination of Tables V and 
VI shows that wheat has decreased in yield per acre to a marked 
extent during the last half of the seventeen years. The average 
yield of this crop during the first half of this period was twenty- 
one bushels, and during the last half fifteen bushels per acre. 
Corn, however, made an average of thirty-five bushels per acre 
during the first period of eight years and 43.5 bushels during 
the last nine years. On the other hand, clover and timothy have 
about held their own in yield during the entire period, the aver- 
age being about one and one-quarter tons per acre. The increase 



56 Hinh to Ilonicscckers 

in the yield of com may bo accoimted for largely by an impor- 
tant change in the method of tiHage. The proprietor of the farm 
now gives corn shallow cultivation during the last two times, 
whereas formerly he followed the usual custom of cultivating 
deej) at all times and "hilling up" the corn at the last cultiva- 
tion. This method of cultivation, together with an increase in 
the depth of plowing, which is now nine to ten inches, has 
greatly increased the yield of coni. It is to be noted also that 
a small quantity of lime, 300 to 400 pounds per acre, was put on 
the Innd at intervals with beneficial results to clover and thus 
indirectly to corn. 

A statement in a letter lately received from this farmer shows 
that the soil has been held up to a normal standard of produc- 
tivity with great difficulty and is in danger of decline. He says: 
"We are not getting the results for our labor and land that we 
should. I think we nuist work out a rotation that will give us 
larger yields of wheat. This I think can be accomplished by get- 
ting rid of the sorrel in our land and growing more clover and 
other leguminous crops. The wheat crop is the measure of all 
other values as a rule, and if we can grow more and cheaper 
wheat it will do more to reduce the cost of living than almost 
anything else." 

This farm has a very good financial record, due to intelligence 
and the application of business methods in management. But 
one of the essential factors in the management of a farm is main- 
taining or strengthening those soil conditions which are favor- 
able to the production of such value-producing crops as it seems 
desirable to raise. 

If such conditions are not maintained certain weed pests, 
which find the soil favorable, come in and take the pl^ce of cul- 
tivated crops. The farmer is often misled by this fact and re- 
gards the presence of weeds as the direct agent preventing the 
vigorous growth of crops, where the real cause may be the 
lack of a proper environment for the crops. For this reason at- 



Bow a City Family Managed a Farm 57 

tempts are often made to subdue weeds by cultivation alone, 
which is only partially successful and adds unnecessary expense. 

The fact that sorrel is a persistent and troublesome weed on 
this farm is evidence that fundamental conditions of soil are 
defective and that other methods besides cultivation must be 
planned to subdue it and allow the desirable crops to take its 
place. 

It is suggested, therefore, that a rotation of crops and some 
system of cultivating the soil be adopted which will build up 
and maintain the land in a condition which will better enable the 
cultivated crops to combat the weed enemy in the struggle to pos- 
sess the soil. 

The practice of liming the soil is found to be beneficial in this 
region, stimulating the growth of clover and thus tending to 
eliminate the sorrel. On this farm lime could be applied at lit- 
tle expense, since in many places limestone rock crops out at the 
surface. This rock could be blasted out and either ground or 
burned to be scattered on the land. This could be done at shorter 
intervals than formerly or a heavier application made of 1,000 
or 2,000 pounds to the acre. 

Besides the use of lime and commercial fertilizer the follovnng 
rotation are suggested, the practice of which would speedily sup- 
ply humus and nitrogen, materials which are essential in main- 
taining the soil in a condition favorable to field crops ; 

Corn plus crimson clover or rye and hairy vetch. 

Cowpeas. 

V^heat. 

Hay (6 pounds of clover seed the following spring). 

Pasture. 

Crimson clover has not generally proved successful here and 
should be tested on a small area before sowing a large quantity. 
Three conditions at least are essential for a satisfactory growth 
of crimson clover. The soil must be inoculated with the proper 
bacteria, it must contain a fair amount of humus and nitrogen, 
and the seed must be sown sufficiently early in order to make a 
vigorous growth before winter. 



58 J finis In TTornescekers 

Rye and hairy vetch are adapted to more general conditions, 
may be sown biter than crimson clover, and will grow under con- 
ditions that will not produce crimson clover. It is essential that 
Ihc hind he artificially inoculated for hairy vetch unless the bac- 
teria ai'e known to be in the soil. The six pounds of clover seed 
to be sown the spring following the hay crop are essential in get- 
ting a stand of clover to plow under the next year for com. 

Alfalfa may be grown successfully on clean and fertile land in 
this region. When these conditions can be met the following 
rotation is advised: 

Corn plus crimson clover or rye and hairy vetch. 

Cowpeas. 

Wheat. 

Alfalfa. 

Alfalfa. 

•Mfalfa. 

On land that is fairly rich in nitrogen and humus, if the 
problem were simply to maintain fertility, a shorter rotation 
could be ado|)t(Hl by cutting out one year of wheat on this farm, 
making it a four-year rotation, which would have the effect of 
growing more legumes. It ha,s been demonstrated that such a 
rotation as this would gradually increase the nitrogen and humus 
content of the soil. iMinnesota Agricultural Experiment Station 
Bulletin No. lOf) gives the results of experiments carried on in 
several places through a series of ten yeai's with a rotation of 
corn, wheat, hay, and pasture, and it wa,s found that the humus 
and nitrogen could not only be maintained but increased. 

One or the other of the two rotations first suggested will no 
doubt be adojited on this farm, at least until the land is built 
up to a normal standard. 

FARM IMPLEMENTS AND TIIEIR COST. 

The following is a complete list of the machineiy and imple- 
ments used on the farm described and their cost: 



How a City Family Mcmaged a Farm 59 

List of farm Implements and their cost. 

1 seven-foot-cut wheat binder $135 

1 six-foot-cut wheat binder — old — for use in case the other 

gets out of repair 100 

1 flve-foot mower 35 

1 four-foot mower 30 

1 manure spreader 80 

1 ten-spout wheat hoe drill 75 

1 elght-spout wheat disk drill 60 

2 disk harrows (one tongueless) 50 

2 spring-tooth harrows 27 

2 spike-tooth harrows 24 

2 two-horse chilled plows 12 

2 three-horse chilled plows 18 

2 walking wheeled double cultivators 50 

4 double-sliovel plows 10 

1 double smoothing harrow 12 

1 two-row disk corn planter 40 

1 single-row corn planter 12 

1 Iron roller 12 

1 plank drag 2 

1 hay loader 60 

1 side-delivery horserake 40 

2 single-horse cultivators 14 

2 four-horse wagons 120 

1 two-horse wagon 50 

2 road beds for wagons 40 

2 hayracks 20 

1 steel spring-tooth hayrake (10 feet) 20 

1 spring-tooth weeder 9 

1,157 



CHAPTER VI. 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURAL PROVINCES OF THE UNITED STATES. 

It is our object in this chapter to outline in a general way 
the most important soil and agricultural provinces in each one 
of the States of the Union, and to describe briefly present con- 
ditions of agricultural development. The various divisions fre- 
quently merge from one into another with such a gradual change 
that the lines are necessarily more or less arbitrary. 

The maps presented in this chapter are based most largely upon 
the work of the Bureau of Soils, though the Weather Bureau, 
the U. S. Geological Survey, various State Geological Surveys 
and the work of some of the Experiment Stations has been drawn 
upon for material from which to construct some of the maps. 

Wherever soil types, soil series, soil provinces or groups are 
mentioned in this chapter the terms refer to the soil classifica- 
tion followed by the Bureau of Soils. Bulletins No. 55, 78 and 
85 of the Bureau of Soils deal with this subject in considerable 
detail and should be consulted if more information concerning 
this classification is desired. 

In some instances the maps are based in part upon climatic 
conditions. In California, for example, it appears that the varia- 
tions in the climate in various portions of the state are of more 
importance than the variations in the soils, therefore, this may 
shows climatic zones instead of soil provinces. 



62 



Hints to Homcseekers 



l€w England 
5tates { 




Map 1. — Soil and Agricultural Map of New England States. 



Agricultural Opportunities 63 



NEW ENGLAND STATES. 

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
and Rhode Island. 

1. Mostly timbered regions, with but little agricultural devel- 
opment. Rough and mountainous in part. Some grazing. Some 
of the land, especially in Maine, will be suitable for farming 
when cleared. 

2. The great potato growing section of Maine. Soils mostly 
sandy. This region is being extended as rapidly as the forests 
are removed. 

3. Chiefly grazing with some tillage land. Surface rolling to 
broken in most places. 

4. Sections including what is probably the best farming land 
in New England. Dairying, grazing, hay, vegetables and fruit. 
Stones and rock outcrop plentiful in some localities. 

5. Including areas producing large amounts of maple sugar 
and maple syrup. 

6. Region of intensive farming in which fruit, tobacco and 
gardening are leading interests. Some general farming and 
dairying also. 

7. Regions in which the growing of onions is the leading in- 
dustry. Other special crops grown and market gardening also 
carried on. 

8. Regions in which the poultry industry has been highly de- 
veloped. Some general farming, dairying and gardening also 
carried on to a lesser extent. 

9. Localities in which the cranberry is extensively grown. Soil 
mostly sandy bogs. 



(i4 ni)its io Homeseekers 



NEW ENOI;AND.'' 



Opportunity awaits the man who engages in agriculture in 
New England. This is true ol' the farmer already here, who 
should lumeeforth widen his horizon and enlarge his occupation 
of tile field. It is also true of tlie man west or south of New 
England with inquiring eyes turned in this direction. The first 
named, thus far, with some notable exceptions, has not wholly 
lived up to ids opportunities. The second, very probably aslcs to 
be "shown." 

New England agriculture for various reasons is worth while 
in every sense of the term ; it still has an abundance of relatively 
cheap land, making it possible to successfully undertake farming 
without heavy outlay of capital ; it has nearness to the best cash 
markets of the world; its farm products bring high prices; it 
shows a ])ractieally unlimited outlet right at home for more than 
New England can produce; rates of freight to market are espe- 
cially low compared with the long hauls further west, though not 
yet as low as they should be, in some instances. 

As a side-light on this general summary, here is an incident 
which actually took place, in the autumn of 1010, on the occa- 
sion of a lield meeting of the Connei'tieut fruit growers. Exten- 
sive orchards in profitable bearing were in the foreground, fruit 
being harvested; quick, nearby markets assured short hauls and 
high prices. Among the visitors was a representative of the 
famous Ilood River, Oregon, fruit section. He acknowledged 
the impressivcness of the attractive money-making proposition 
spread out before him on the Connecticut hillside. Turning to 
J. II. Hale, the peach king of Connecticut and Georgia, the Ore- 
gon man asked where could be found similar splendid opportuni- 
ties to buy orchard sites. "There, directly aeross the road," 
came the quick positive response of ]\Ir. Hale, "and over yonder 



* The data aiul doseriptivo niattor covering the New England states 
has heen taken from the book "New England" and is reproduced here 
by permission of the Boston Chamber of Commerce — publishers of this 
valuable work. 



Agricultural Opporiunities 65 

is another just a,s good. And more and more of these splendid 
orchard sites all the way up through Connecticut and western 
Massachusetts; and in fact, through most of the distance still 
further north to the Canadian line." 

For so many decades of years has agriculture been prominent 
in New England that it may seem unnecessary to give much at- 
tention here to its topography, its physical characteristics, its 
rainfall and its climate. Yet it is not amiss to remind the reader 
that in these things New England has much which is really ad- 
vantageous for the pursuit of farming. 

As latitude goes. New England is fairly well to the north. 
Yet, a glance at the map will show it, in this respect, fully as 
favorably located as many other portions of the country which 
are given over to crop production. In fact, the matter of a north- 
erly latitude as long since proved its real worth in the turning 
out of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and grass crops of the highest 
order. 

Within a comparatively short time, scientists, making special 
study of cereal culture, have presented strong argumentsi to 
show that such small grains as wheat, rye, and oats make a 
heavier rates of yield to the acre in northerly latitudes than 
further south. The heavy rate of yield of wheat in England is 
somewhere around thirty-three bushels to the acre, and nearly 
as much in northern France and in the Netherlands, against our 
own average in the United States of only fourteen to sixteen 
bushels. For that matter, it is not necessary to cross the Atlantic 
Ocean to find positive evidence of what may be accomplished in 
northern latitudes. In western Canada, 400 miles north of the 
international boundary line, magnificent crops of wheat and oats 
are now grown. The Canadian crop of 1910 was something like 
100,000,000 bushels. Going still further north in the western 
hemisphere wheat is produced each season in the Peace River 
valley at a latitude of 58°, where as the northernmost point of 
Maine is only 48°, 
5 



GG Hinis to Homeseekers 

Keeping away from technicalities in a plain statement of agri- 
cultural conditions in New England, it will suffice to remind the 
reader that in this moderately high latitude, as well as those still 
further north, the sun gets in its work very early in the day, 
during practically all of the growing season, and continues until 
a late hour in the afternoon. Thus a field of grain, or cultivated 
crop, or small fruit, receives during the growing season in each 
day of clear slrv^ a maximum of sunshine, forcing nature in its 
work of development, maturity, and full fruition. 

The condition and prospects of agriculture in New England 
are thus conservatively summarized by President Kenyon L. But- 
terfield of the Massachusetts Agricultural College: 

"I came to New England eight years ago. I soon found very 
optimistic belief in regard to the future of agriculture in New 
England, and that belief has strengthened with the years. 
■ ""Of course, there are difficulties, drawbacks, problems. For 
-one thing, we have to admit the spotted character of the land. 
There is no great area of uniformly rich soil. The soil on a 
given farm is often of many different types. A single town may 
have good and poor land. This fact makes it difficult to localize 
a given crop and bring to the community a great reputation for 
a specialty. 

"All over the north at least farm labor is scarce, but perhaps 
New England farmers suffer more than any others because of the 
presence of a large number of mill villages which tempt farm 
boys and girls from the surrounding regions to steady positions, 
even at small wages, in exchange for what have seemed to be the 
uncertainties of the farm. 

"Farmers everywhere have failed to cooperate, but perhaps 
the failure is more marked in New England than anywhere else. 
The New England farmer likes to paddle his own canoe. Of 
course individual farmers of superior intelligence make more 
profit in this way than they perhaps would by cooperating, but 
agriculture as a whole is put to a great disadvantage. The in- 
dividual method of marketing, for instance, is a very costly one. 



Agricultural Opportunities 67 

This might not matter so much to the farmer if the consumer 
paid all the costs of marketing; unfortunately he does not. A 
clumsy system of marketing robs the farmer of some of his 
profits. 

"Although New England has a small area, and is interlaced 
with a network of steam and trolley roads, nevertheless the 
facilities for cheap transportation of farm products to the nearby 
markets are not as good as one might expect. It costs more for 
the average New England farmer to get his goods to the market 
than it ought to cost and this fact makes the competition with 
the western and southern growers more serious than would other- 
wise be the case. 

"But these difficulties simply mean problems to be solved. 
They are not insuperable difficulties. On the other hand, there 
are positive and real advantages possessed by the New England 
farmers. The first is the market. It is a big market. It con- 
sists not only of the great city of Boston but of many minor 
cities and villages, altogether making a large consuming popu- 
lation within restricted area. The market is near the average 
farmer. It is a growing market. Nearly all of the New Eng- 
land cities have shown a tendency toward growth during the last 
ten years. It is a high grade market, calling for products of 
quality. It is a sympathetic market; that is to say, if the 
proper steps are taken the New England consumers will express 
a preference for New England grown products. 

"It is sometimes asserted that the soil of New England is a 
drawback. On the contrary, it is an asset. True, there are 
many square miles in New England consisting of ledges, others 
almost plastered with boulders ; but wherever there is clear soil, 
it is good soil — the very best. There are areas that are worn, be- 
cause they have been over croppd and mismanaged, but all the 
New England soils respond bounteously to proper treatment. 

"There are some special advantages. The rainfall in New 
England is abundant, and well distributed, as a rule, throughout 
the growing season. This is shown in the marvelous tree growths. 



f)8 Hints to Tlomeseekers 

Forestry therefore can be made a permanent agricultural sub- 
industry. Fruit trees grow vigorously also. 

' ' And then there is the fruit flavor. It may be soil, it may be 
climate, it may be the altitude of some of the hills; but no mat- 
ter what it is, tliere are few spots on the earth where apples 
particularly take on a better iiavor than in New England. This 
is an asset of tremendous importance. 

"The grass-growing areas in New England are unsurpassed 
for native power in producing good hay. Even the hillside 
pastures are of superior quality. The Lord intended that in 
New England there should be cattle on a thousand hills, and it 
is only man's fault that there are not. We might add sheep, 
too, to the category, if it were not for the curse of curs. 

"The fact of greatest promise is that we are undergoing a 
great aM\ikening in New England agriculture. Farmers have a 
new look of hope. Business men are particularly interested. 
Leaders in community life are interesting themselves in the 
country problem. All New England is stirring as perhaps never 
before in all its history, Avith things agricultural." 

This brief summary by President Butterfield expresses the 
most conservative views. A permanent and gratifying success 
should, in the years to come even more than ever before, attend 
farming in New England. This is true of the men and women 
living here and engaged in some line of agriculture. It is also 
true of those outside tlie confines of the six states, who may be 
impelled through the authenticated records to cast their lot in 
New England. Farmers now engaged in this pursuit will remain 
here. Not in many years have they been so well satisfied with 
agriculture in New England as today — in the ledger accounts, 
the cash box, the home life, and social opportunities. 

Planners not now in New England, but who are considering 
the advisability of coming here, will have read this chapter in 
vain if they do not adequately grasp the facts portrayed. In 
the briefest sort of Avay, attention is called to these advantages: 
Relative cheapness of good farming land ; productivity of soil 



Agriculfural Opportunities 69 

and ease of workins: it when properly handled ; profits in various 
staple crop,s and New England specialties; good roads, nearness 
to the best and highest cash markets in the world; a network of 
rural free delivery routes, and passenger, freight and express 
trolley lines, and telephones ; the best schools, colleges and libra- 
ries in the world ; freedom from the isolation of the less settled 
communities; social life of a high character and atmosphere; 
environment conducive to the best things in the home life. As 
to financial returns, no section of the country can show better 
results, considering the risk. New England lands have a mod- 
erate to low average value. They will produce the best and big- 
gest crops, and the markets are right at the farmer's door. 
However poor in purse a man may be, if he has grit, ambition, 
and real purpose, he cannot fail to succeed in New England. 

Farm lands command a wide range of prices. It is safe to 
say that in some of the hill towns, where there are great 
stretches of rough land, with here and there, a bit of tillable 
soil, purchases may be made at the remarkably low price of $10 
per acre, or less. But in such instances the land is not well 
suited to cultivated crops, or even to meadows, and may be re- 
mote form a railroad. Such areas have attraction in the way of 
grazing sheep and goats, or fattening cattle. In the plains or 
uplands are great stretches of gravel loam land that are well 
suited, under proper handling, to many crops. Such land can 
be bought at medium prices. The rich valleys and river bottoms 
found in many parts of New England are especially well adapted 
to growing onions, potatoes, celerj'', asparagus, and other truck 
crops; also strawberries, roses, vegetables, etc. Such land found 
in the Connecticut valley, from the lower confines of Vermont 
and New Hampshire down through Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut nearly to Long Island Sound, is held at high figures where 
particularly well located, with soil deep and rich, and well cal- 
culated to produce to perfection some of these special crops. 
This is true also of some of the market garden sections, five to 
twenty miles out of Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, 



70 Hints to Ilomcscckers 

Manchester, Portland, etc. Sueli soils, while heavy and often 
very black, are not sticky, even after smart rainfall, and are 
readily worked. The price for land of this character runs high ; 
all the way upwards from $400 to $500 per acre. Good potato 
land in northern Maine is worth around $100 per acre, and not 
infrequently rents by the season at $10 and upwards per acre. 
Near the large cities desirable land for trucking sells as high as 
$1,000 an acre and gardeners are able to pay that price and coin 
big money. Two or three crops are raised on the same land 
each year. These specialities include the general line of vege- 
tables, such as spinach, lettuce, radishes, cabbage, cauliflower, 
sweet com, tomatoes, celery, etc. 

Agricultural education is receiving attention in several ways 
in New England. There are the agricultural colleges and the 
experiment stations, the boards of agriculture, the grange, dairy- 
ing, and horticultural societies, bee keepers' and sheep breeders' 
associations, the press, and latterly, commercial organizations 
and corporations such as boards of trade and railroads. Each 
of the new England states has a state agricultural college and 
experiment station; Connecticut has two of the latter. Maine's 
college and experiment station is in connection with the state 
university at Orono; Vermont's in connection with the Vermont 
university at Burlington. The New Hampshire college and ex- 
periment station are at Durham; Massachusetts at Amherst; 
Rhode Island at Kingston. Various eastern institutions in later 
years have awakened to the fact that it is not sufficient to teach 
the boys and girls .it the institution, and to dig out certain facts 
connected with agriculture. Important as these are, the insti- 
tution must go further and do something for the farmers who 
have not the time, nor perhaps the money, to 'take college 
courses. They have learned that it is one thing to experiment 
and quite another to get the results in actual operation on the 
farms. Therefore the colleges and experiment stations are 
featuring what they term ''extension work." The facts learned 
at the college are taken direct to the farmers and applied to 
the every day })robloms of the farm. 



Agricultural Opportunities 71 

Demonstrations and object lessons are given of approved 
methods of caring for orchards, livestock, crops, etc. Men in 
close touch with both the college and the rural end of the prop- 
osition devote their entire time to getting the farmer and the 
institution in this closer relation. The purpose is to disseminate 
some of the useful information which in the past has been al- 
lowed to lie in pigeon holes until it finally reached the backyard 
fire dump. In close sympathy with this same spirit of practical 
results are found the grange, the boards of agriculture, and 
other organizations, aiming to dignify and uplift agriculture. 

Maine. 

Maine is well watered with innumerable lakes and ponds, 
while the rivers and small streams do much to conserve the 
interests of the valleys and fertile fields. The northern coun- 
ties in the state have a comparatively short season for crop 
growing, yet the energy of the sun, combined with generous 
rainfall, makes that territory, particularly Aroostook county, 
famous for its crops. Alluvial plains of remarkable fertility are 
found throughout much of the state, which show evidences of 
having been at one time bottoms of old lakes long since dried 
up or drained out. "While much of Maine is rugged and broken 
by high hills and ranges of mountains, there still remain large 
areas of cultivated land, some of which in recent years has been 
brought up to a high state of fertility. In this respect Maine 
is identified with "extensive agriculture" more peculiarly than 
other eastern states. To the man with a wide horizon who has 
made a study of agriculture east and west, farming in Maine 
is easily comparable, even though on somewhat smaller scale, 
to conditions in the Middle West. The Aroostock region in the 
northeastern part of the state comprises probably the largest area 
given over to fertile farming land in New England. The State, 
agriculturally speaking, devotes much attention to such crops as 
grass, potatoes, apples, all of these being very successfully pro- 
duced on a large scale. Cereal culture has not been accorded 



72 Hints to Homeseekers 

very much attention, although within the past ten years some 
notable successes have been made in wheat, oats, rye, with a 
tendency for still further attainment. In such specialties as 
potatoes and apples the very best agriculture is followed. Hay 
and forage crops are given much attention and the yield is very 
heavy. Maine is each year becoming more of a dairy state, re- 
quiring enormous amounts of feed of this character. "While 
stock raising is carried on in a somewhat limited manner, inter- 
est and the best thought of agriculture in northern New Eng- 
land favors going more and more into breeding and feeding 
meat animals, in dairying, and in the production of horses. 

New Hampshire. 

While the Granite State can boast of the highest mountains 
in the eastern part of the United States, it also has many fertile 
plateaus and delightful valleys. Nor are all of these given over 
to summer homes. In the growing season precipitation is usu- 
ally ample for the production of crops. In fact a noteworthy 
thing about all of New England is its general freedom from 
serious drought. To the man born and reared in New England, 
snch things as "hot winds," the ''firing of corn," and absence 
of rainfall is practically unknown. The State is well drained 
by numerous streams of water. In passing, it is not amiss to 
mention the considerable wealth of forests found in the upper 
half of the state. As a crop, hay is a leader, with the dairy 
industry prominent, while increasing attention is being given 
to apples. If New Hampshire is growing less in the way of 
cereals than years ago it is because its farmers find it more 
profitable to use the land in some other way, buying needed 
feed stuffs and grain. In recent years enlarged attention has 
been given to the growing of silage corn, which is now consid- 
ered a requisite in the well established dairy. The potato crop 
is also an important one in New Hampshire, while small fruits 
and truck farming are given much attention. 



Agricultural Opportunities 73 

Vermont. 

Bounded on the east by the Connecticut valley and the stream 
which gives this its name, and on the west by Lake Champlain, 
Yermont is a land of hills, mountains, fields and meadows. A 
healthful and bracing climate adds to its attractiveness. It has 
a reasonable amount of heat and cold. In the valleys, especially 
in the western part of the state, there is much land which is 
adapted to the production of crops, and agriculture has always 
constituted the leading industry. Under the influence of intelli- 
gent farming the rate of yield to the acre is high. While the 
'80 's and early '90 's found many Vermont farmers turning 
their faces toward the cheap lands in the West, a better feeling 
has prevailed in recent years, with an appreciable uplift in agri- 
cultural conditions. As to crops, hay is the leader, while lib- 
eral quantities of oats and potatoes are grown, with an impor- 
tant output each season of barley, buckwheat, and maple sugar. 
A^ermont seems particularly adapted to apples and plums, the 
fruit showing high color, good flavor and quality. 

Massachusetts. 

While the river valleys with very heavy soil are usually con- 
sidered more attractive in point of producing capacity, Massa- 
chusetts has many evidences of agricultural prosperity in its 
higher plateaus and hill towns. West of the Connecticut River, 
which cuts the state squarely in two from north to south, Massa- 
chusetts is much broken, yet agriculture is forceful, even in 
such elevated areas and narrow confines as some of the valleys 
hedged in by the Berkshire hills. Eastward from the Connecti- 
cut river the topography of the State is more gently marked by 
low hills and great stretches of plains, sloping gradually to the 
sea-coast, and elevation entirely disappearing in the famous 
cranberry bogs and sandy beaches of Barnstable and Plymovith 
counties. As to climate, it is in the middle of the north tem- 
perate zone, temperatures showing a fairly wide range. Yet 



74 • IHhIs Io Ilonifseckers 

the frost period from December to March is not severe upon 
orchards and other crops, while the fjfrowing season is favored 
by generally suHicient and well distributed rainfall. This, with 
the genial sunshine anil higher temperature of midsummer, 
force to the greatest jierfeetion the crops for which Massachu- 
sctts is famous, such as corn, cigar-leaf tobacco, apples and 
small fi-uits, onions, potatoes, etc. IMassachusetts has a larger 
poi)ula1i()n than any other of the New P^ngland states, and the 
proportion of the people actually engaged in agriculture is rela- 
tively small. Such portions as are not adapted to agriculture 
are receiving attention on the part of the farmers and others 
who are interested in forestry. 

Connecticut. 

In the development along agricultural lines in the last decade 
of y(\-irs Conuecticut might pi-operly be called "the land of the 
rosy peach;'' for this gi-i>at commercial crop has become one of 
the fascinating features of Connecticut agriculture, and the 
►State; now takes second ])lace to no other as a producer of this 
fruit. As in other i)ai-ts of New England, grass is the leading 
crop. Hay, ever and always, in this part of the country, com- 
mands very high prices. The farm value of hay, according to 
official figures, is higher in Connecticut than in any other state, 
being placed at $19.30 per ton. The valley land of the Con- 
necticut is particularly well suited to extensive farming, and 
some remarkable yields have been made in grasses, in tobacco 
and in corn. The rougher portions of the State further east 
afford great possibilities in grazing at a low cost. Owing to the 
fact of many large manufacturing centers, the home markets 
for fruit, ti'uck, dairy jiroducts, jxiultry, and eggs are large. 

Rhode Island. 

Small iu si/c hut hig in accomplishment, Rhode Island is 
more than a great industrial center, or a political ganglion. 



Agricullural Opporhmities 75 

While part of its area is rather rough hmd, even that is well 
adapted to pastures and dairying. In the truck sections, close 
to tidewater, splendid crops of potatoes and other vegetables are 
produced. There are several notable apple orchards, and many 
examples of the most advanced farming ideas. In the eastern 
part of the State the poultry industry has been developed to 
a high state of perfection. 



Hi II Is hi Tfniiicseckers 




.Map '2. — Soil oinj Aoiintlhiiol Map of Nvw Yoil:, rrinisjilrania oiul 

Xcir Jcracj/. 

Map IaujciuI. 

1. Glacial Lake Tciracos. Once eovered by an extension of 
the Great Lakes, later the deposits were modified to varying de- 
grees by glacial action. Very good general farming country 
with large amounts of fruit along the shore of Lake Erie and 
Lake Ontario. Dairying very important industry. Soils varia- 
b](> but adajited to wide range of crop production. 

2. Glacial and morainie section. iMountaiiious in eastern por- 



Agricultural Opportunities 77 

tion. General fanniu<j: and dairying chief types of agriculture. 
Numerous valleys in rougher section where good farms are 
found. Large amount excellent grazing and an abundant sup- 
ply of pure water. 

3. Appalachian Mountain region. Very rough and mountain- 
ous, with numerous valleys of varying size, in which agriculture 
is practiced. Some table lands and plateaus where farming can 
be successfully carried on. Mountains rich in coal. Oil plenti- 
ful in places in this region. Fruit can be raised successfully in 
many places. 

4. Piedmont Plateau. Rolling country having strong produc- 
tive soils, for the most part. General farming and dairying 
leading types of agriculture. Some fruit and trucking. 

5. Limestone valleys. Soils derived from limestone and nat- 
urally very productive. General farming, dairying, tobacco 
and all crops common to the region are successfully grown. 
Numerous small valleys not indicated on this map. 

6. Coastal Plain region. Very sandy soils with sandy clay sub- 
soil in places. Trucking highly developed in numerous places. 
Near best markets of the country and well supplied with rail- 
roads. Great variety of truck crops, peaches and other fruits. 
General farming and dairying also practiced. 

Neiv York. 

Among the opportunities along the line of agricultural de- 
velopment offered by New York, the reclamation of abandoned 
farms is a subject worthy of special note. There are a large 
number of these farms scattered throughout various parts of the 
State and for a considerable period many of these have yielded 
no income whatever for their owners. 

The reason for the abandonment of these tracts of land, 
briefly stated, is that the methods of farming followed upon 
them were such as exhausted the productivity of the soil. The 
same crops were grown upon the same fields year after year and 
little or nothing was returned to the land to replace the plant 



78 Hints to Homcseekers 

food taken up by the growing crops. In time the yields were 
reduced to a point where farming under the old system was no 
longer profitable. The cheap, fertile lands of the west at- 
tracted the attention of many of the eastern farmers, who finally 
left their old homes to begin again in a newly developing sec- 
tion. 

During the past decade the advance along the line of scienti- 
fic agriculture has been very marked and attention has been 
called to the opportunities offered by these abandoned farms. 
It has been found that by following certain methods of cultiva- 
tion, fertilization and rotation of crops these lands can be 
brought back to a veiy high state of productivity in the course 
of a few years. Many such farms can be bought for less than 
the original cost of the building, and those seeking profitable 
investment and the establishing of a home in the country, should 
not overlook these facts. 

Dairying is the leading branch of agriculture in the state and 
New York ranks second in the Union in the production of dairy 
products. The large cities of the east which are all within easy 
reach offer excellent markets for all dairy and other farm pro- 
duce. While the dairy industry is highly developed, there is 
still opportunity for those wishing to engage therein. It is 
profitable in itself and it is the surest means of maintaining and 
increasing the productivity of the soil. 

The portion of the State along Lake Ontario is well adapted 
to fruit raising and large orchards are to be seen all along the 
lake shore. For those who are willing to follow the most scien- 
tific and up-to-date methods in planting, cultivating, spraying, 
packing and marketing, there are good openings along the line 
of horticulture. Apples, peaches, pears, grapes and plums are 
all grown with success and excellent markets are close at hand. 

"Where such good markets are so close at hand as is the case 
throughout New York the greatest success in farming will come 
by specializing in the production of some one thing or several 
things and in catering to the demands of some particular class. 



Agricultural Opportunities 79 

The raising of poultry can be made a profitable business. For 
example, — a reputation can be established for the supplying of 
fresh eggs. A fancy price can bd asked and secured when people 
are absolutely sure of getting fresh eggs. 

Near the large cities and along the main railroad lines the 
trucking industry can still be developed to a greater extent. 
Many who are now cooped up in poorly ventilated tenement 
houses and working on a small wage, could readily take up a 
few acres and by studjdng the conditions they could make a com- 
fortable living raising truck crops. They would have the ad- 
vantage of healthful surroundings, plenty of fresh air, a good 
place to rear the family and all concerned would stand a better 
chance in the struggle for existence than in the crowded city. 

Some special studies have been made of the abandoned farms 
of New York by the Bureau of Soils, and the results of their 
findings can be secured by writing that department at Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

Pennsylvania. 

A large proportion of Pennsylvania is rough and mountainous 
and therefore of little value for cultivated crops. The chief 
agricultural regions are confined to the valleys scattered through- 
out the State. The limestone valleys of the southeastern portion 
of the State are highly developed and Lancaster County is the 
leading agricultural county in the United States. These rich 
limestone valleys support farmsteads which cannot be surpassed 
in any other section of the country. The region is settled mostly 
with Germans or "^Pennsylvania Dutch," who are very thrifty 
farmers and prosperous. 

Land values are high in the best developed sections, but there 
are large areas of fairly good land where farms can be bought 
cheaply. 

Along the foothills of some of the mountain ranges there is 
considerable land which is well adapted to the production of 
fruit and in this industry there are some excellent opportunities. 



80 Hints to Homeseekers 

Land of this character can be bought verj^ cheaply as it is of lit- 
tle value for the ordinary farm crops. When put out to apples, 
peaches, or in some sections grapes, it yields very satisfactory 
returns. "While grapes are grown extensively in the northwest- 
part of the State along Lake Erie, the fruit industry of Penn- 
sylvania may be said to be still in its infancy and therefore the 
present is a good time to invest in land suited to fruit growing. 
There is a large commercial apple and peach orchard at Boyer- 
town which gives an example of what can be done along this line. 
Any one contemplating going into the business would do well to 
visit this place and make a study of the conditions existing there. 

The mining regions of the State offer an excellent market for 
farm produce raised and there are so many mines and they are 
so well scattered over the State that none of the valleys which 
contain farming land are very far removed from good local mar- 
kets. The large cities of the east also afford a ready market for 
all kinds of farm produce. 

The Bureau of Soils of the U. S. Department of Agriculture 
has made detailed soil surveys of a large number of counties, and 
a general map has been made of a large portion of the State. It 
has been found, for example, that certain soils in the State are 
especially well adapted to the production of apples and that 
certain types will produce certain varieties of apples better than 
other types. The Bureau of Soils has prepared reports and maps 
of all areas surveyed and any of these can be obtained free of 
cost by writing to the Chief, Bureau of Soils, Washington, D. C. 

Dairying, poultry raising, hog raising, tobacco growing and 
various other lines of general farming can be more extensively 
developed. The trucking industry in the vicinity of cities can 
also be profitably extended. For those who contemplate taking 
up farming in this state it would be well to consider the question 
of specializing along some particular line or lines and catering 
to a high class trade so that the highest possible prices may be 
obtained for the things produced. 

Before engaging in any line of farming a careful study should 



Agricultural Opportunities 81 

be made of the conditions in the locality where it is desired to 
purchase. In looking into the soils and the agricultural possibili- 
ties the publications of the State Experiment Station at State 
College, Pa., will be found very helpful. These may be secured 
free of cost by writing to the Director, Experiment Station, 
State College, Pennsylvania. 

Neiv Jersey. i 

In New Jersey there are three distinct soil provinces repre- 
sented, all of which are of considerable importance. The most 
extensive province known as the Coastal Plain Province covers 
all of the southern half of the State and extends along the Atlan- 
tic coast for nearly three-fourths of the length of the State. 
Throughout this region, and especially along the coast, the sur- 
face is low and level, with a gradual rise as the distance from 
tide water increases. The soils over this portion of the State are 
for the most part sandy. In many places the sand extends to a 
considerable depth, while in other regions a sandy clay subsoil 
may be encountered at from twelve to twenty-four inches. This 
region is given over to trucking, general farming and fruit rais- 
ing. The sandy soils are well adapted to a great variety of truck 
crops and the nearby markets encourage the extensive develop- 
ment of this industry. A number of canning factories are seat 
tered through New Jersey and many peas, beans, tomatoes, etc., 
are preserved in this way. Of the fruit grown the peach is the 
most important. Small fruits and bush berries are also raised 
to a considerable extent. Of the general farm crops grown corn, 
oats, and hay are the most important. The dairy industry is one of 
importance in some regions and there is always a ready market 
for all dairy products. This industry could well be extended 
as could also the trucking industry. 

In the north central portion of the State there is a region 

covering a considerable area where the soils of the Piedmont 

Plateau are found. The surface of this section is considerable- 

higher than the Coastal Plain region and the topography is much; 

6 



82 Hints to Homeseehers 

more uneven. The soils are derived largely from the weathering 
and disintegration of igneous and metamorphie rocks and where 
the surface is not too rough, good agricultural lands are found. 
The soils as a rule are heavier than in the Coastal Plain and are 
more generally adapted to general farm crops than to trucking. 

The extreme northern part of the State falls within the gla- 
ciated region and is Imown as the Glacial Province. The soils 
vary to a considerable extent in texture as is characteristic of 
soils of a glacial region. The topography of this region is also 
much more broken than in the southern part of the State. In 
the immediate vicinity of the cities, trucking is carried on but 
in the northwestern corner general farming is of most impor- 
tance. 

Throughout the State as a whole the system of agriculture is 
more intensive than in many states more remote from good mar- 
kets. The opportunities which are presented are chiefly along 
the line of intensive farming. A small acreage highly improved 
^ill return better dividends than a large acreage farmed in an 
indifferent manner. The poultry industry is receiving consider- 
lable attention and is profitable. The State as a whole presents 
numerous opportunities for the higher development of agricul- 
ture. 



84 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Agricultural OpjJortumties 85 



Majy Legend. 

1. Appalachian Mountains. Considerable sandy soil with some 
loam. Many opportunities for apple culture. Mostly timbered 
at present. 

2. Limestone valleys. Some grazing and general farming. 
Soil naturally very productive. Best land in these states. De- 
voted largely to general farming. Some tobacco. 

3. Piedmont Plateau Region. Gently rolling to rolling coun- 
try, large amount of good land, though much of it poorly farmed. 
General farming, stock, dairying, some fruit. 

4. Coastal Plain country. Very level along coast, gradually 
rising. Trucking extensively developed in places. Peaches in 
Maryland and Delaware, small fruits and canning crops. 

Maryland. 

Maryland falls naturally into four distinct provinces from the 
standpoint of soils and agriculture, as well as from a geological 
viewpoint. 

The mountainous section of the State is adapted to fruit grow- 
ing, grazing and the raising of livestock, with the possibility of 
the extension of the raising of cultivated crops on the more level 
or sloping land. Coal deposits occur at a number of places and 
mining is carried on to a considerable extent. 

Through the rough portion of the State there are a number of 
limestone valleys. The soils in these valleys are residual from 
the underlying limestone and belong chiefly to the Hagerstown 
series. General farming is the chief type of farming followed 
and dairying is carried on to a considerable extent. The ordi- 
nary farm crops, including corn, oats, tobacco, wheat and hay 
are successfully grown. Alfalfa is also successfully grown, 
though not to as great an extent as the other hay crops. Some 



86 Hints to Homeseekers 

trucking is carried on and a small amount of fruit is raised. 
The agricultural communities as a rule are highly developed. 

Throughout the Piedmont Plateau the chief soils are those be- 
longing to the Cecil series. This section of the State is not as 
extensive as either the mountainous part or the Coastal Plain. 
General farming with dairying in conjunction is the chief type of 
agriculture followed, though there is some trucking carried on 
and also some fruit raised. 

The Coastal Plain is the great trucking region and the canning 
industry is developed to a greater extent here than in any other 
section of the country. Tomatoes and peas are more extensively 
grown for canning than any of the other crops. A great variety 
of crops are raised, as the best of markets are within easy ship- 
ping distance. The farms are small and the land is worked in- 
tensively. Aside from trucking crops the general farm crops 
are grown, especially in southern jMaryland, and tobacco is the 
leading special crop in many districts. Peaches are an impor- 
tant crop in eastern Maryland and small fruits and berries are 
also raised to a considerable extent. All of these lines of farm- 
ing could be profitably extended and there are many excellent 
opportunities for the man who knows his business and is willing 
to work hard. Raising special crops and catering to a particular 
class will often prove very profitable. 

Along the coast the canning of oysters and crabs is an impor- 
tant industry. 

Delaware. 

Delaware consists for the most part of a sandy plain gradu- 
ally rising from the coast at the rate of only a few feet to the 
mile. 

The soils belong chiefly to the Norfolk series, being light col- 
ored sandy material at the surface and underlain by a yellowish 
sandy clay or by sand which may extend to a considerable depth. 
On the hea\aer soil general farming is carried on as the chief 
line of agriculture, while on the lighter types trucking is the 



Agricultural Opportunities 87 

leading industry. The canning industry is developed to a con- 
siderable extent, though markets are close at hand and large 
quantities of fresh vegetables are disposed of to the large com- 
mission merchants. 

The opportunities presented in this State are chiefly along the 
line of intensive agriculture. 

Virginia. 

The state of Virginia is divided into four distinct soil and 
agricultural provinces, all of which are outlined on the accom- 
panying map. These various sections are known as the Appa- 
lachian Mountain region, the Limestone Valleys, the Piedmont 
Plateau and the Coastal Plain. 

The IMountain region covers much of the wastem part of the 
state and the rich limestone valleys are found between the moun- 
tain ranges. The soils of the mountains are for the most part 
sandy and often form only a comparatively thin covering over 
the bed rock. Where the soil is sufficiently deep and where 
the slope is not too great, fair crops can be grown, though the 
amount of agricultural development which has taken place up 
to the present time is very limited. Probably the greatest op- 
portunities offered for this rough region is the growing of apples. 
The soils appear to be well suited to this fruit and especially 
adapted to the production of a few highly prized varieties. 

In the limestone valleys the soils are naturally very strong 
and productive. Many sections now support highly improved 
farming communities but there are thousands of acres in these 
valleys where farms can still be bought at comparatively low 
prices and where the opportunities for making a home and a 
comfortable income are very good. The soils which are derived 
from the underlying limestone rock have in many eases been 
poorly farmed and their productiveness reduced. They are cap- 
able, however, of being built up to a high state of fertility. 
These regions are well adapted to general farming and dairying. 

The Piedmont Plateau region lies between the mountains and 



88 Hints to Homeseekers 

the Coastal Plain and is frequently spoken of as the ' ' foot hills, ' ' 
The soils consist chiefly of Cecil clay and Cecil sandy loam which 
have been formed from the weathering of the underlying igneous 
and metamorphic rocks. These soils have been farmed for many 
years in some portions of the state and their producing power 
impaired by poor methods of cultivation. "With proper treat- 
ment excellent crops can be raised and wherever scientific 
methods are being followed at present very satisfactory returns 
are being secured. The crops gro^vn are corn, oats, tobacco, some 
wheat, peanuts and a number of tinick crops adapted to this 
section. General farming is the most extensively developed line 
of farming and excellent opportunities are afforded for its higher 
development. 

The Coastal Plain is the great trucking region of the state and 
"the soils being sandy and early are well adapted to this industry. 
'The markets of the great cities of the east are within easy reach 
lof this whole district and vast quantities of truck are shipped 
each year. The soils belong chiefly to the Orangeburg and Nor- 
folk series. Peanuts are extensively grown and some tobacco is 
raised. This region offers opportunities, especially for those 
who wish to engage in intensive agriculture. Land can be se- 
cured cheaply in many localities, and while the soil may be low 
in fertility it responds quickly to careful treatment. 

Throughout the state there are large tracts which were aban- 
doned after the war and allowed to grow up to timber. The 
second growth is in many places sufficiently large to provide tim- 
ber of considerable value. These lands can be bought cheaply 
and on many such tracts farming operations are again being suc- 
cessfully developed. 

Considerable coal mining is carried on in the state; in fact 
the first coal ever mined in this countiy was taken from a Vir- 
ginia mine, and the mining communities supply a local market 
for farm products raised in the rougher parts of the state. 



Agricultural Opportunities 89 

West Virginia. 

West Virginia is primarily a mining state and the mining of 
coal is the leading industry. The agricultural products raised 
within the state at the present time are not sufficient to supply 
the home demand. There is therefore a ready market for all the 
farm produce that is grown and a considerable amount is shipped 
in from surrounding states each year. 

By far the greater proportion of the state is rough and moun- 
tainous and but poorly adapted to the growing of cultivated 
crops. These rough sections, however, afford grazing for stock 
and on the more level places some crops can be grown. The 
mountain soils are chiefly of a sandy nature and truck crops can 
frequently be raised with success. 

The raising of fruit is coming to be of great promise in "West 
Virginia and much of the land which has heretofore been con- 
sidered too rough and steep for cultivated crops is now believed 
to be well suited to fruit growing. Apples and peaches can both 
be grown successfully and excellent opportunities are afforded 
for engaging in this industry on a small scale or on a large 
commercial scale. 

In the eastern and southern part of the state there are some 
limestone valleys where the soil conditions are about the same 
as found in the limestone valleys of Virginia, though agriculture 
has not been developed to as great an extent. These valleys are 
adapted to general farming, dairying and stock raising. Some 
fruit may also be raised. 

The bottom lands along the Ohio River and along streams 
within the state contain considerable productive land, much of 
which is not highly improve but which offers opportunities for 
development. 



90 



Hints to HomeseeJcers 




CO 



^ 



!5i 
''I 



CQ 



Agricultural Opportuniiies 91 



j\[ap Le(jcnd. 

1. Appalachian jMomitain region. Average elevation, 4,000 
feet. Rough country with some fertile valleys. Thinly settled 
and but slightly improved. Soils mostly thin. 

2. Limestone valleys. Strong, productive soil. Numerous val- 
leys not indicated on map. 

3. Piedmont Plateau section. Cotton and tobacco, corn, small 
grains, general farming. Some fruit and trucking. Soil mostly 
sandy loam with red clay loam subsoil, naturally strong and 
productive. Water power plentiful. 

4. Coastal Plain region. Mostly sandy and sandy loam soils. 
Low and flat along coast, gradually rising and becoming more 
uneven with distance from the coast. Good truck soils. Cot- 
ton, corn, tobacco, oats, peanuts, cowpeas. Some rice grown 
along the coast. 

North Carolina. 

As indicated on the map North Carolina naturally falls into 
four distinct agricultural and geological divisions. Each of these 
presents opportunities for agricultural development which are 
worthy of consideration. 

The mountainous region in the western portion of the state 
has an average elevation al)ove sea level of about 4,000 feet. The 
country is very rough and most of the mountain soils are of a 
sandy nature, though there are numerous valleys where the soil 
is somewhat heavier and where the land can be cultivated. This 
region is thinly settled and what agriculture is practiced is very 
crude. Throughout this section there are numerous localities 
in the higher altitudes where it is thought the growing of fruit, 
especially apples, could be extensively and profitably deve^.oped. 
The climatic and soil conditions are favorable, excellent expo- 
sures could be selected, drainage conditions are good and por- 



92 Hints to Homeseekers 

tions of the region are traversed by railroads so that shipping 
facilities would be adequate if localities were selected along the 
railway lines. 

In the western and northwestern part of the state there are 
a few limestone valleys which are a continuation of the limestone 
valleys of Virginia. These are of limited extent in North Caro- 
lina but form a distinct agricultural province. The soils are 
naturally strong and productive, though inferior methods which 
have been followed have in many cases reduced the productive- 
ness of the land. These limestone regions are best adapted to 
the growing of general farm crops such as com, oats, hay, wheat, 
etc. Alfalfa can be successfully grown if the soil is put in the 
proper condition and dairying can be made to produce satis- 
factory returns. 

What is known as the Piedmont Plateau forms the foothills 
of the Appalachian Mountains and comprises an extensive region 
of great agricultural possibilities. Portions of it are well de- 
veloped at the present time and many of the sections were under 
cultivation long before the Civil War. Where cultivation has 
been continuous the fertility of the soil has been reduced by 
exhaustive methods of farming, but most of the soils are capable 
of being built up to a high state of productivity. 

The soils of the Piedmont Plateau region consist chiefly of two 
types known as the Cecil clay and the Cecil sandy loam. The 
sandy type consists of from six to eighteen inches of a medium 
textured sandy loam resting upon a red clay or clay loam. 
W^here the sandy covering is very thin, or where the red clay 
comes to the surface the soil is known as the Cecil clay. In some 
localities the heavy subsoil lies at a depth greater than three 
feet but such variations are of comparatively small extent. 

This region produces cotton, tobacco, com, some oats, a little 
fruit, some peanuts and truck crops. The soils are adapted to 
a wide range of crops. The growing of fruit could be extended 
in many localities and the dairy industry could well be devel- 
oped. Land values are still comparatively low and the region 



Agricultnral Opportunities 93 

offers many excellent opportunities, especially along the line of 
general farming. 

There are numerous streams which furnish an abundant sup- 
ply of water-power, some of which has been developed and used 
to run cotton factories and other industries. 

The Coastal Plain, which extends from the Piedmont region to 
the Atlantic Sea Coast, is an extensive region with a level or 
only gently sloping surface, the higher portion of which has 
been somewhat eroded by the action of streams. The soils of the 
region are chiefly of the Orangeburg and Norfolk series. The 
Orangeburg sandy loam consists of a light colored sand or sandy 
loam varying from eight to twenty-four inches in depth and un- 
derlain by a red sandy clay or clay loam. The Norfolk sandy 
loam very closely resembles the Orangeburg sandy loam but has 
a yellow subsoil in place of the red. These are the two leading 
and most important types in the region, though there are areas 
of considerable extent where the sand is over three feet deep. 

The chief crops grown at present consist of cotton, corn, pea- 
nuts, some rice and sugar cane and truck crops. It is the truck- 
ing region of the state and the soils are well suited to the pro- 
duction of all truck crops, which find a ready sale in the markets 
of the cities of the north. "While some sections have been under 
cultivation for 200 years and over, there are extensive areas 
where the development is very limited, where the land is cheap 
and where there are good chances for agricultural development. 
The soils respond readily to careful cultivation and fertilization 
and can be built up to a high state of productivity. The truck- 
ing industry is developing rapidly throughout the region, espe- 
cially on the sandy loam soils, which can also be profitably de- 
veloped along the line of general farming. 

The climate of the state is delightful, there being quite a 
range from the coast country to the mountainous region in the 
west, though extremes in temperature are very rare. 



94 Hints to Ilomeseekers 

South Carolina. 

South Carolina is verj^ similar to North Carolina in its geo- 
logical formations and also in its agricultural development and 
resources. One difference is that there are no limestone valleys 
in the western portion of the state. 

The Appalachian IMountain region covers the western part of 
South Carolina and comprises the roughest and least developed 
section of the state. The soils of the mountains are chiefly sandy, 
adapted to potatoes, truck crops, etc., where not too steep and 
where suitable locations can be found. There are numerous 
narrow valleys throughout the mountain region where the soils 
are fairly good but development is slight and all of this region 
is very thinly settled. As in North Carolina there are numerous 
localities suitable for the growing of apples, though this industry 
ha.s not received attention up to the present time. 

The Piedmont Plateau region is an extension of the same for- 
mation as found in North Carolina and is adapted to the same 
crops, though more cotton is being grown at the present time. 
There are localities which are adapted to the growing of peaches, 
some orchards have been put out and it is probable that the indus- 
try will be extended. The fertility of much of the land has 
been reduced by the constant growing of cultivated crops and 
the organic matter content of the soil is low. Most of the soils, 
however, can be readily improved and made highly productive. 

The soils of this region, as in North Carolina, consist chiefly 
of Cecil clay and Cecil sandy loam. The portion of the region 
next to the mountains is quite rough but becomes more even 
in topography as the distance from the mountains increases. 
Land values are still comparatively low and the region offers 
many opportunities for the development of general farming, 
fruit growing, dairying and the raising of hogs. 

The Coastal Plain country extends from the' Piedmont Plateau 
to tidewater and the coast and comprises an. extensive region in 
which a wide range of agricultural products are raised. There 
is a gradual slope to the coast and in many places the surface 



Agricultural Opportunities 95 

is level, especially within fifty miles of the ocean. The chief 
crops grown are cotton, some of which is the Sea Island variety, 
tobacco, oats, corn, peanuts, cowpeas, rice and truck crops. 
Much of the land is still undeveloped, values are low and op- 
portunities for investment good. 

The leading and most important soil types are the Orangeburg 
sandy loam and the Norfolk sandy loam. As in North Carolina 
there are considerable areas where the sand is deep. In the low 
stretches along the coast the soils are more poorly drained and 
of a darker color. In general it may be said that the soils of the 
Coastal Plain are low in organic matter and could be greatly im- 
proved by the growing of legumes and by plowing under sucli 
crops to supply humus forming material. 

This region is traversed with railroads which connect it with 
the leading markets of the north and east and provide excellent 
transportation facilities for the handling of the earl.y truck 
crops. While trucking is being quite extensively carried on, it 
could well be extended, as could also general farming and dairy- 
ing, the raising of hogs and the growing of a number of special 
crops. 

The state as a whole presents opportunities which should be 
carefully considered by those desiring an investment or a home 
where land is cheap and where excellent returns can be secured 
for labor expended. The climate is healthful, and while the 
summers are long, the maximum temperature is no higher than 
in the states further north. Many living in the Coastal Plain 
spend a portion of the summer in the mountains or on the Pied- 
mont Plateau where the simimers are especially delightful. The 
winters are very mild and snow is almost never seen. Pastures 
can be so arranged that stock can graze all year. 



96 



Hints to Homeseekers 



'/TTH'irTT 




./hi 






— -1 y~^' > 


y^-fj ,^^ 




— 4.jfel/_rLJ: 


./y""^^--^ c 






><' 'i 


/ i^y \ ■'V V ■', 



GiE>OHGfIAr 



^:rr 




Map 5. — Soil and AgriciiUiirol Map of Georgia. 



Agricultural Opporhmities 91 

Map Legend. 

1. Coastal Plains region. Light colored timbered soils. Sur- 
face level along coast, becoming more undulating inland. Sur- 
face usually sandy with red or yellowish sandy clay subsoils. 
Some large tracts of deep sand. Cotton chief crop. Com and 
small grains are successfully grown. Well adapted to trucking 
crops, peanuts, cowpeas, etc. Fruit. Diversified farming on in- 
crease. Native growth chiefly long leaf pine along coast and 
short leaf pine in northern part of region. Considerable timber 
standing — much unimproved land. 

2. Piedmont Plateau. Two types of soil extensively devel- 
oped — a red clay with two to four inches of sandy loam covering 
it and a gray sandy loam or sand which extends to depth of two 
or more feet. Surface gently rolling, becoming quite broken in 
north where it forms the foot hills of the Appalachian Moun- 
tains. Cotton, corn, truck crops, fruit. General mixed farming 
increasing. 

3. Light colored timbered soils of Appalachian Mountain re- 
gion, chiefly residual from sandstone and shale. Soil thin in 
many places and region rough. Thinly settled and but little 
improved. 

4. Limestone valley soils. Naturally strong and productive. 
Mostly well improved. General farming chief type of agricul- 
ture. 

Georgia. 

The state of Georgia is divided into two natural divisions 
known as the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Plateau sections. 
The Coastal Plain occupies the eastern and southern parts of the 
state and comprises two distinct and extensive series of soils 
described by the U. S. Bureau of Soils as the Norfolk and the 
Orangeburg series. The Norfolk series consists of gray sands 
underlain by yellow sand and sandy clay, while the Orangeburg 
is imderlain by red sand and sandy clay. The topography is 
level along the coast and gradually becomes more undulating 
and rolling as the distance back increases. 
7 



98 Hints to Homeseekers 

The sandy loam typos of these two series, which are very ex- 
tensively developed in this region, are well adapted to a great 
variety of crops. Cotton, sugar cane, corn, oats, peanuts, cow- 
peas and a number of other general farm crops are grown. In 
many sections trucking is extensively carried on and melons, 
tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, eggplant, etc., are extensively 
grown. The sand types arc early, warm soils and will mature 
crops quickly for early spring markets. They respond readily to 
fertilization but are apt to suffer from drought during the late 
summer month,s. 

The boll weevil, the greatest enemy to the cotton plant, has 
not as yet invaded Georgia and so cotton is still being raised 
more extensively than any other crop, though diversified farm- 
ing is receiving considerable attention at the present time. The 
raising of peanuts is on the increase and more live stoek is being 
raised. The south does not produce half of the pork which it 
consumes and hog raising can be made very profitable. Peanuts 
are grown for hog pasture and by harvesting the crop in this 
way a large amount of labor is saved. The hay supply of 
Georgia is very limited and raising of cowpeas, vetch, etc., for 
hay can be made profitable. 

Throughout southern Georgia there is still a large percentage 
of the country undeveloped. Much of it is still in the original 
forests of long and short leaf pine, while some has been cut over 
and is now in stumps. This land can be bought for from $5 to 
$15 per acre, depending upon its eondition and location, and 
can be built up into productive land. The soils having the sandy 
clay subsoil are the most desirable types and are the most readily 
improved. 

The north, northwestern and north central parts of the state 
are included within the Piedmont section and the soils are largely 
residual, having been derived from the weathering of igneous 
and metamorphic rocks. The topography is gently rolling to 
rolling and hilly and in the northern part it becomes mountain- 
ous. The soils of the major portion of the Piedmont Plateau in 
Georgia are included in the Cecil series and are thoroughly de- 



Agricultural Opportunities .99 

scribed in the reports of the Bureau of Soils. Briefly, the main 
body of the soil consists of a red clay, which in many places has 
a covering of sand from a few inches to three feet in depth. 
Where the sand covering is not too deep it is naturally a strong 
soil, capable of being brought up readily to a high state of pro- 
ductivity. It is well adapted to all of the general farm crops 
grown in that region and in some sections the fruit industry has 
been developed. 

There are a great number of large peach orchards in this re- 
gion and also in the higher portion of the Coastal Plain and in 
numerous instances these have made their owners independent. 
One criticism which can be made of the fruit industry in Georgia 
is that the growers have put out larger orchards than they can 
properly manage. In many cases the orchards are not properly 
cultivated, sprayed or pruned and as a result the quality and 
quantity of the fruit is somewhat lower than it should be. The 
fruit is often poorly packed and is in poor condition when it 
reaches the northern markets. Most of the peaches are shipped 
north and when they reach the market they should be in good 
condition and in neat, attractive packages, otherwise they will 
not bring the highest price. The expense in picking, packing 
and shipping is so great that it does not pay to market a poor 
grade of fruit for which an inferior price is sure to be obtained. 
For those who are willing to follow the most scientific methods 
in fruit culture there is a good opportunity in Georgia, 

The raising of pecans is receiving some attention and this maj 
also be made a profitable business. 

Taken as a whole the state of Georgia offers many excellent 
opportunities for those wishing to engage in general farming, 
stock raising, trucking or fruit growing. The climate is mild, 
land is cheap and there is a good market for all of the products 
of the farm and garden. The public roads are better than in 
any of the other southern states and the school system is being 
rapidly improved. There is an agricultural high school in every 
congressional district, something of which few other states in 
the Union can boast at the present time. 



100 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map Q.—Soil and Agricultural Map of Florida. 



Map Legend. 

1. General farming region of state. Northern portion chiefly 
section of gray soils with red subsoils, mostly sandy surface and 
sandy clay subsoils. Southern portion flat, low country, with 
sandy soil and native growth of long leaf pine and palmetto. 
Chief crops, cotton, tobacco, corn, with some sorghum, sugar 
cane, peanuts, cowpeas, truck crops. Region quite similar to 
southern and southwestern Georgia. 



Agricultural Opportunities 101 

2. Mixed farming. Some general farming, with trucking on 
the increase and a small amount of citrus fruit raised, though 
there is danger from frost. 

3. Great citrus fruit belt of Florida. Also important for 
trucking. Crops grow all year. Winter gardening important. 

4. Greatest section for growing truck crops for northern win- 
ter markets. Lettuce, tomatoes, celery, asparagus, eggplant, cab- 
bage, melons and numerous other crops successfully grown. 
Some citrus fruits also raised. 

5. Everglades. Extensive region of swamp lands. Portions 
being reclaimed by drainage, and put under cultivation. 

6. Region in which pineapples are chiefly grown. 

Soi'.s of most of the peninsula sandy, in many places deep sand. 

Florida. 

It is doubtful if any other state in the Union has been as ex- 
tensively advertised throughout the east as Florida. "Ten acres 
and independence" seems to be a favorite slogan for the real 
estate promoters. There are many excellent opportunities in 
Florida but the possibility of securing large yields has been very 
much exaggerated by many advertisers. 

It has frequently been reported that Florida receives its great- 
est yearly income from the crop of winter tourists. It is doubtful 
however, if these returns exceed those received from the sale of 
' ' ten acre farms. ' ' The greatest agricultural industry of Florida 
consists of raising truck crops and citrus fruits. The vegetables 
grown in the winter and early spring are marketed in the cities 
of the north and east and very profitable returns are often, though 
not always, secured. 

The soils are almost entirely of a sandy nature and in many 
places the sand extends to a great depth. In other places there is 
a sandy clay sub-soil at from eighteen to thirty-six inches 
below the surface. This latter is the most desirable ex- 



]()2 Hints to Tlomeseekers 

tensive lypc iiiul is Iciiowii ;is llic N'orl'olk sandy loam. It 
frequently lui])pens that the surrace indications are nearly 
the same on both kinds ol" ,soil and the inexperienced are 
sonu'tinics soUl tiie d('(»i) sand when tlioy could as well 
select llic Ix'ttn- soil, were tlioy Tainiliar with the conditions. In 
lowly in*,' jjlaccs, alou"^ stream courses and over poorly drained 
tracts the soil friMjuently lias a dark or nearly black color, due 
to liie presence of oi-p^aiiic matter. Many ol" the tracts in the ex- 
treme southei-n part of l^'Iorida are ot' this nature and before large 
croi)S can be raised, it is nei'essary to install drainage systems 
and frequently arrange foi- irrigating the land also, since it is 
too wet in tlu> early si)ring and too dry later in the summer. 
When such systems have b(>en properly installed there is almost 
no limit to the amount ol" truck which can be raised. The con- 
dition amounts to the same as having an equal area under glass 
in a forcing hous(\ This is an expensive undertaking and re- 
(piires experience as well as money. Commercial fertilizers are 
necessary if the best results are to he obtained. 

M'here are larg(> ti-acts of land which are well drained, having 
a sandy clay subsoil and wvll suited to truck and citrus fruits, 
which can be secui-ed cheaply, and on which very good crops can 
be raised. In selecting land, howevei-, the purchaser should ex- 
amine th(> laiul in person aiul not, trust to the word of any one. 
Strawberries, lettuce, eggplant, cabbage, nu^lons, etc., are raised 
extensively. Oranges and grape fruit nvo confined chiefly to the 
RoutluM'ii half of th(> state since frosts fi-iMiuently occur in the 
noi'llierti portion. Considerable tobacco is gi'own in the western 
part of tlu^ state and pineapples are extcMisively i-aised in some 
s(>ctions fai'ther south. Some geiuM-al fai'ming and cotton raising 
is carried on tlKuigh not very extensively. 

The climatic conditions which ju'cvail in Florida are delight- 
ful, the winters are v(M-y mild and as then^ is always a breeze in 
the sununer tli»> heat is not intense. While there are good oppor- 
tunities in Morida f(u- (Establishing a home on a small acreage. 



AgricnUuraL Opporlunilies 103 

those who eontciiiphitc inovinp: to that slate should first visit tliat 
region and make a careful study of conditions, {getting their in- 
formation first hand, instead of from tlie advertisements of real 
estate promoters. 

Land can be secured very cheaply and it does not cost much to 
live in that warm climate. 



104 



Hints to Tlomeseekers 




Agricultural Opportunities 105 



Map Legend. 

1. River flood plains province. Alluvial soils, very productive 
but subject in places to overflow. 

2. Loessial soil province. Soil chiefly a silt loam. Slopes to 
the west. General farming, trucking, small amount of cotton. 
Soil readily built up to be very productive. 

3. Limestone valleys and uplands province. Soils from lime- 
stone rock, naturally strong and productive. Highly improved. 
General farming, horses, mules and some cattle and hogs. In- 
cludes the "blue grass" country. Some dairying. Tobacco is 
an important crop. 

4. Appalachian mountains and plateaus. Soils thin, region 
mountainous. Some grazing and a little farming in the valleys. 
Many orchard possibilities. Coal in mountains. 

5. Coastal plains province. Mostly sandy soils with sandy 
clay subsoils. Some trucking and general farming. 

Kentucky. 

This state falls into four soil and agricultural provinces. The 
extreme eastern portion of the state is occupied by the Appala- 
chian mountains. This region is very rough, broken and moun- 
tainous and throughout much of its extent is but poorly suited 
to agricultural development. There are a number of valleys and 
considerable areas where its surface is not too steep to be culti- 
vated where cultivated crops can be successfully grown but only 
a very small percentage of this land is improved at the present. 
The greatest possibilities offered by this rough country are along 
the line of fruit raising. There are numerous localities where the 
growing of apples and peaches could be profitably carried on and 
at the present time some orchards are to be seen in the region. 

In the northwestern portion of the state is a small area which 



106 Hints to Homeseekers 

would be classed in the same province as the above, but the sur- 
face is less broken. It is but slightly developed, however and is 
not as well suited to general agriculture as many other portions 
of Kentuclcy. 

Throughout the central and southern portions of the state is 
an extensive ai-ea in which the soils are derived chiefly from tlie 
underlying limestone and this region is included within the 
limestone valleys and uplands soil province. It includes the 
"blue grass country" and the most highly improved portion of 
Kentucky. The soils are naturally strong and productive and the 
agricultural communities are thrifty, progressive and prosperous. 
The chief crops are corn, small grain, tobacco with the raising of 
fine stock as a very important branch of agricultural industry. 
The Kentucky horses have a wide reputation and most of them 
come from this region. Cattle and hogs, as well as horses, are 
raised and the dairy industry is an important one in a number 
of sections. Land values are higher than in other portions of 
the state. There are good public roads throughout the region, 
excellent railroad facilities, and splendid opportunities for the 
higher improvement of intensive agriculture. 

In the extreme western part of the state there is an area which 
falls within the loessial soil province. In this region the soil con- 
sists chiefly of silt loam. It is adapted to a wide range of crops 
and aside from tlie general farm crops common to the state and 
the raising of tobacco, the trucking industry has been developed 
to a considerable extent. The land can be readily built up to a 
high state of productivity and many good opportunities are pre- 
sented in this portion of the state. 

The bottom lands along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and 
streams with the state are included within a separate division, 
known as the river flood plains province. The soils are of alluvial 
origin and very productive, though there is always some danger 
from flooding, in case the levees should break. When fully pro- 
tected these lands nuike very desirable farming communities. 



Agricultural Opportunities 107 

Tennessee. 

Because of the soil and climatic conditions prevailing in Ten- 
nessee the state is adapted to the production of a wide range of 
crops. All of the staple crops common to the north and some of 
those common to the south are successfully grown. In addition 
to these general farm crops, the trucking industry has been ex- 
tensively developed in certain localities. 

In the extreme western part of the state there is a considerable 
area of bottom land along the Mississippi river where the soils 
are very fertile and capable of producing large crops. The 
greater part of the lowland is protected by levees but the natural 
drainage is sometimes deficient, and some of the land may be 
flooded at times from the backwater from streams flowing into the 
Mississippi when that stream is at or near the flood stage. The 
soils of this region are all alluvial in origin and quite high in 
organic matter. They are more productive than the upland soils 
but on account of the danger from flooding if the levees should 
break but few permanent homes are established in the lowlands. 

There are also extensive areas of bottom land along the rivers 
within the state and in many places these lands are highly de- 
veloped. 

The west end of the state outside of the bottom lands is covered 
with a soil formation known as loess. The soil of this region is a 
silt loam, very uniform in texture, friable in structure and posses- 
sing characteristics which permit it to be eroded more readily 
than other soils. It is a soil which works readily and responds 
quickly to careful treatment. It can be readily improved to a 
high state of productivity. This section of the state is devoted 
to the raising of general farm crops, cotton, tobacco and also to 
trucking. It is probably a better truck soil than can be found 
elsewhere in the state and this industry is highly developed at a 
number of places. Strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and melons 
are among the special crops grown profitably. In connection with 



108 Hints to Homeseekera 

trucking, the canning industry has also been established to handle 
a portion of the crops. Land in this district can still be bought 
at a reasonable figure and many excellent opportunities are af- 
forded. 

The limestone valleys and uplands comprise a very extensive; 
and very important portion of the state. The uplands are found 
chiefly in the central part of the state while the limestone val- 
leys occur chiefly in the interinountain regions in eastern Ten- 
nessee. General farming is the chief type of agriculture followed. 
Tobacco is raised quite extensively. The raising of horses, 
mules and cattle receive considerable attention, and dairying and 
hog raising are also important. The soils are derived from the 
underlying limestone and are naturally productive and strong 
lands. Inferior methods of cultivation have in a number of sec- 
tions somewhat reduced the fertility but by following up-to-date 
methods this can be readily restored. These limestone regions 
are as a rule highly improved, well settled and show a condition of 
thrift and prosperity to prevail among the farmers. Land values 
are higher than in other portions of the state. 

The extreme eastern part of the state is rough and mountain- 
ous and outside of the valleys it is but poorly adapted to growing 
cultivated ci'ops. The soils are mostly sandy, shallow and roclcy, 
and it is difficult to get to market from remote sections. There 
are many localities where the fruit industry could be developed, 
esj)e('ially the growing of apples, and the region is better adapted 
to this line of farming than to any other. Some orchards have 
been set out, but a number of these have failed on account of 
not being given proper eare. With careful management from the 
selection of the site and varieties to be grown to the packing and 
marketing there is no doubt but that the growing of apples could 
be made very profitable. In addition to apples, grapes could also 
be grown and peaches would probably be successful. Where 
close to shipping points, and the surface is not too rough, some 
trucking can be carried on. Much of the mountain land provides 



Agricultural Opportunities 109 

fair grazing and the raising of stock could doubtless be profitably 
extended. Land values are very low. 

There are extensive deposits of iron throughout eastern Ten- 
nessee and the mineral and the timber are the two factors which 
determine the value of the mountain lands. 



no 



Ilints to Homeseekers 




Map 8. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Mississippi and Alabama. 



Map Legend. 

1. Yazoo-Mississippi Delta. Dark colored alluvial soils na- 
turally very productive. Cotton chief crop. Diversified farming 
increasing. Well adapted to corn, grains, alfalfa and to numer- 
ous truck crops. Mostly protected by levee but drainage in places 
very deficient. Considerable areas still in timber. 

2. Loessial region, including light colored timber soils, chiefly 
silt loam. This soil responds quickly to careful treatment, but 



Agricultural Opportunities 111 

erodes rapidly on unprotected slopes. Good trucking soil, also 
good general farming soil. 

3. Coastal Plain region. The northern part north and west of 
the black Prairie is called the Region of Gravelly Hills, with light 
colored sandy loam the most common type of soil. Original tim- 
ber chiefly short leaf pine. Cotton the chief crop, though corn 
is also grown ; also adapted to fruit and truck crops in many 
places. The surface varies from small level table lands to quite 
hilly country. Considerable timber still standing. Portion south 
of Black Prairie known as Upper Long Leaf Pine Belt. Mostly 
sandy loam with areas of deep sand. Surface mostly gently roll- 
ing to rolling. Original growth chiefly long leaf pine. Cotton 
and corn chief crops. Also adapted to peanuts, melons, potatoes, 
peaches, figs and other orchard crops. 

4. Coastal Plain — Lower Long Leaf Pine Belt. Nearly level, as 
a whole, but uneven enough for good surface drainage. Sandy 
loam and sand chief types with some areas of heavier soils. 
Trucking leading industry along gulf. Corn and oats do well. 
Some cotton is grown also. Sweet potatoes, peanuts, cowpeas, 
beans, etc., do well. Sorghum and sugar cane are successfully 
grown. 

5. Black Prairie region. Chiefly clay loam soils derived from 
limestone. Very productive. Adapted to alfalfa, com, cotton 
and all general farm crops and also to stock raising. Mostly 
under cultivation. The best farming land in the south. 

6. Residual Limestone region. Includes Tennessee valley and 
smaller valleys. Strong, productive soil. Surface light colored, 
mostly silt loam. Good farming lands. 

7. Cumberland Plateau region. Much of surface very hilly to 
mountainous. Large portion still in timber. Soils mostly sandy 
loams. Little agricultural development. Extensive mineral de- 
posits. 

8. Piedmont Plateau region. Soils red clay and gray sandy 
soils. Surface rolling. Heavy soils ; good general farming lands. 
Lighter types good trucking and fruit soils. 



312 Hints to Homeseekers 

Alabama. 

Alabama is taking the lead among many of the southern states 
in the development of her agricultural resources. Agricultural 
high schools are being established and farm demonstration ex- 
perts from the Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of 
Agriculture, are stationed in nearly every county. It is the busi- 
ness of these experts to give advice to all interested in farming 
as to the best methods of cultivation, adaptation of soils to crops, 
best crops to grow, etc. This work is done in co-operation with 
the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. 

The majority of the soils of the southern part of the state are 
of a sandy nature. In some places the sand is deep, while over 
large areas there is a sandy clay sub-soil at from fourteen to 
twenty inches below the surface. As classified by the U. S. 
Bureau of Soils these soils belong chiefly to the Orangeburg and 
Norfolk series. As a whole the region covering southern Alabama 
is well adapted to the production of truck crops, which mature 
from February to May, and which are shipped to the markets of 
the north, chiefly Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Among 
the crops grown, cabbage, peas, tomatoes, melons, strawberries 
and potatoes are the most extensively cultivated at present. Pe- 
cans and figs are grown to some extent and give promise of 
profitable returns. In the. extreme south the Satsuma orange is 
being planted in many places and this seems to be a safe propo- 
sition. During the winter of 1910-11 the temperature dropped 
to 18 degrees at Mobile and was below freezing for four con- 
secutive days, yet the orange trees were not damaged. Cotton 
becomes an important crop farther north but this staple is not 
grown along the gulf coast. 

Most of the land in southern Alabama is still undeveloped. A 
large part of it has been cut over (though there is still consider- 
able fine timber), and is now stump land. In selecting farms in 
this region the soil should be carefully examined. That having 
a sandy clay sub-soil, and good surface drainage is the best. 
Wliero the sand is several feet deep crops are apt to suffer from 



Agricultural Opportunities 113 

drought, especially late in the season and any fertilizer whicli is 
applied will rapidly be leached out. The sandy soils are very 
early and often a fair crop can be secured before the dry weather 
comes on. By proper management three, and sometimes four 
crops can be taken from the best soils during a period of twelve 
months. Cabbage can be set out in November and marketed in 
February and March. This crop can be followed by early pota- 
toes, and later by com. Cowpeas or peanuts can be sown in the 
corn at the last cultivation and after the corn is cut the remaining 
crop can be pastured or cut for hay. A large number of combi- 
nations similar to this can be successfully grown. Land in south- 
ern Alabama which is undeveloped can still be bought for from 
$4 to $20 per acre. 

"What is commonly spoken of as the Black Prairie Belt in west 
central Alabama, is the richest agricultural section of the state. 
The soil consists of a black clay loam derived from the weather- 
ing of limestone (Selma chalk). This soil is classified by the 
Bureau of Soils as belonging to the Houston series and it is 
naturally one of the most productive soils in the country. It is 
well adapted to cotton, corn and all general farm crops, but the 
most important factor is the fact that it is also especially well 
adapted to the production of alfalfa. This legume grows very 
well without being inoculated and yields on the average three 
or four cuttings every year. A minimum yield of three tons per 
acre, per year can always be counted on. As high as five and six 
tons per acre have been secured. Alfalfa sells on the markets of 
Mobile and Birmingham for $16 to $22 per ton and there is al- 
ways a ready sale. The industry is still in its infancy, but the 
raising of alfalfa in conjunction with the breeding and feeding 
of livestock offers one of the best opportunities to be found in 
any agricultural region. 

Dairying could also be made a very profitable industry. Land 

values are still low, considering the producing power of the soil, 

though prices are higher than elsewhere in the state. First class 

land cleared and under cultivation in the Black Belt can be 

8 



114 Hints to Homeseekers 

bought for from $25 to $50 per acre. At these figures it is with- 
out doubt the cheapest land for general farming in Alabama. 

The Tennessee Valley, in the northern part of the state, is an- 
other important agricultural region which is devoted chiefly to 
general farming and cotton. While much of the land is culti- 
vated, there are still extensive areas which are not highly de- 
veloped. 

The northeastern part of the state is rough and mountainous, 
and most of the farm land is confined to the valleys. Some of 
the slopes may sometime be planted to orchards as there are a 
number of good locations throughout that region. 

Throughout the entire state, agricultural interests are being 
advanced and development is rapid. Birmingham, the center of 
the steel industry of the south, and Mobile, the states sea port 
are both growing and enterprising cities which furnish a good 
market for large amounts of farm produce. Aside from its agri- 
cultural resources, Alabama is an important mining state and 
coal and iron are produced in large amounts. There is a large 
amoiuit of undeveloped water power in the state which will some- 
day be harnessed to run varying lines of industry. The state is 
well supplied with railroads and the transportation facilities are 
adequate for the demands of a higher development than exists at 
present. 

Taken as a whole, Alabama offers excellent opportunities for 
higher development along almost all lines of agriculture. The 
Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture, is co-operat- 
ing Avith the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries 
in making a soil survey of the entire state. Practically half of 
the state has been completed. The soil sun'^ey reports covering 
this work can be secured for the counties completed, free of 
charge, and any one thinking of investing in Alabama should 
consult these publications. 



Agricultural Opportunities 115 

Mississippi. 

The most important agricultural province in INIississippi at the 
present time is what is commonly known as the Yazoo-Mississippi 
Delta. It occupies a strip of country along the western border 
of the state, though the largest development lies between Vicks- 
burg, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn. It varies in width from a few 
miles in the south to about fifty miles in the north. The soil is 
entirely alluvial in origin and varies in texture from a fine sandy 
loam immediately along the stream courses to a clay in the in- 
terstream areas. It is a very fertile region and produces more 
cotton than any other area of equal extent in the world, yet, con- 
sidering this fact, there is considerably less than half of the 
region under cultivation. A large proportion of the delta is in 
need of drainage and a number of large drainage districts have 
been established. When this entire area is cleared, drained and 
properly farmed it will become the most productive area of such 
extent in the world. It is well adapted to cotton, com and all 
general farm crops and alfalfa is being successfully grown in a 
number of places. The sandy tracts are suited for truck raising. 
There is still considerable good timber in the delta but it is be- 
ing rapidly removed. The Mississippi delta offers many good 
opportunities along agricultural lines. Land is cheap, ranging 
in price from $10 to $50 per acre. 

Bordering the delta and extending the entire length of the 
state is a strip of country from twenty to thirty miles in width 
which is known to Geologists as Loess, and commonly spoken 
of as the cane hills and flat hills country. The soil is a light 
colored silt loam, very fine and smooth and very easily eroded. 
Much of it is badly cut up by ravines and gullied until it is of 
little use for cultivated crops. Where the hill tops are flat or 
where the topography is not broken the soil is capable of being 
highly developed. It responds quickly to fertilization and to 
proper methods of cultivation and in a few years can be built 
up into a productive soil. It is well adapted to potatoes, cab- 



116 Hints to Homeseelcers 

bage, strawberries, and all truck crops and cotton and corn do 
fairly well. Land in this section is very cheap. 

What is commonly spoken of as the Northeast Prairie or as 
the Black Prairie Belt is a very important agricultural region, 
though of comparatively small extent. Roughly speaking it ex- 
tends from Tupelo south to Macon and then swings east into 
Alabama where it forms the Black Prairie region of that state. 
The predominating soil throughout this prairie is a black clay 
loam belonging to the Houston series. It is derived from the un- 
derlying limestone and extends to a depth of from three to 
twenty feet. While cotton and corn have been raised here since 
before the war, the land still produces good crops. Nothing has 
ever been returned to the soil in the form of fertilizer and the 
methods followed have been wasteful. By following up-to-date 
methods of farming this land can readily be made to produce as 
large or larger crops than are secured from the black soils of 
Illinois or Iowa. This soil is very well adapted to alfalfa and 
the crop is being extensively introduced. It produces from three 
to five tons per acre which sells in Mobile and Birmingham at 
from $16 to $22 per ton. Grown in conjunction with the rais- 
ing of livestock, alfalfa raising offers an opportunity which is 
seldom equaled anywhere. Land of this kind can be bought 
for from $25 to $50 per acre depending on the location and im- 
provements. It is a very good investment at this price. North- 
ern people are buying up this land rapidly and the price is con- 
stantly advancing. This region in conjunction with the prairie 
in Alabama is the only limestone prairie section in the United 
States which is not highly developed and where prices are still 
comparatively low. If this land were in Illinois it, would sell 
for from $125 to $200 per acre. Considering the rich soil, the 
healthfulness of the region, the mild climate, the good water 
supply, the low price of the land, and cheap labor, it would 
be difficult to find a locality in which more, desirable oppor- 
tunities are presented for one wishing to engage in practical 
agriculture. 



Agricultural Opportunities 117 

The portion of the state between the Prairie and the Loess 
region is a short leaf pine country. The topography is rolling 
to hilly with a narrow strip of "flat woods" extending from 
north to south. In the "flat woods" the soils are heavy, but 
over the remainder of the section it is sandy with a sandy clay 
sub-soil. Comparatively little development has taken place and 
the region does not present opportunities equal to those in the 
delta or in the prairie. Many of the slopes are suited to fruit 
culture and this industry will doubtless be developed in time. 
Land is very cheap and large tracts can be bought as low as 
$5 per acre and on up to $25. 

In the southern part of the state is the long leaf pine section 
and but little agricultural development has taken place. Lum- 
bering and turpentine producing are the two leading industries, 
though agriculture is just beginning to come to the front. The 
soil is chiefly sandy and adapted to truck. It is identical with 
the southern Alabama country. 

The U. S. Bureau of Soils is co-operating with the Mississippi 
Greological Survey in making a soil survey of the entire state. 
Reports covering the work thus far completed can be secured free 
of cost. The excellent opportunities offered in Mississippi and 
the various kinds of soil found are fully described in these re- 
ports and these publications should be consulted by all inter- 
ested in Mississippi. 



118 



Hints to Homeseekers 



y 



l^lCRKiAN 




Map 9.~8oil and Agricultural Map of Michigan. 



Agricultural Opportunities 119 



Map Legend. 

1. Region of dark colored soils formed in old lake beds. Sur- 
face nearly level, and drainage often deficient. Soils mostly clay 
loam and silty clay loam, with numerous small patches of sand. 
Good general farming country. Corn, hay, small grains raised. 
Sugar beets important special crop. In Upper Peninsula con- 
siderable red clay. Corn not certain to mature every year. 
Dairying important. 

2. Level or slightly undulating sandy or gravelly plains, in- 
cluding numerous sand dunes along lake shores. Has lower 
agricultural value than heavier soils and must be carefully 
handled. Truck crops, potatoes, etc., are successfully raised 
on best portions. 

3. Gently rolling ground moraine with loams and clay loams 
predominating, including numerous morainic areas in which 
soil varies from sand to clay. Region as a whole good general 
farming land. In Southern Peninsula it is well improved with 
corn, small grains, hay, dairying and stock as the important fac- 
tors. Considerable fruit, especially apples, also raised. In Up- 
per Peninsula, it is but slightly developed but the soil is good 
and the region is settling rapidly. Numerous marshes. 

4. Gently rolling ground moraine in which sandy soils pre- 
dominate, including numerous morainic areas which are rough 
and in which the soil varies from sand to clay, but is mostly 
sandy. General farming chief type of agriculture. Corn, oats, 
barley, hay, dairying, stock. Large amount of fruit, especially 
along shore of Lake Michigan where the peach industry has been 
extensively developed. Apples, cherries, pears and plums also 
raised successfully. Numerous marshes. 

5. Region where soil is thin and the underlying rock comes 
close to surface and outcrops frequently. Low agricultural 
value. 



120 Hints to Homescekcrs 

6. Swamp areas. Very numerous but nearly all too small 
to indicate on such a map. Many may be drained and reclaimed. 
Celery and peppermint are two important crops raised in the 
state on reclaimed swamp land. 

Michigan. 

Michigan is greatly influenced by the large bodies of water 
with which it is nearly surrounded and by which it is divided 
into two peninsulas. The northern is the smaller and comprises 
something less than two-fit'ths of the area of the state. The 
types of agriculture followed frequently depend to a consider- 
able extent upon the proximity to the lakes. 

The Northern Peninsula is but slightly developed except in 
Menominee County to the south and in Chippewa County to the 
east, where the country is very well settled and prosperous farms 
established. The agricultural resources and possibilities of this 
region are but little known and but slightly appreciated even 
by the people within the state. 

The soils are mostly loams, sandy loams and silt loams, with 
a considerable tract of sand in the central portion of the penin- 
••sula and bordering Lake Superior in places. The original tim- 
'ber on the sand was largely pine, while on the sandy loam and 
on the heavier soils the growth was chiefly maple, hemlock and 
ibirch, with cedar, spruce and tamarack in the swamps and poorly 
drained areas. All of the pine and much of the hardwood has 
been removed and the region is now largely a cut over country 
with a second growth springing up. The hardwood which re- 
mains is being rapidly cut, and the farmer is following in the 
path of the lumberman. 

The growing season is short but plant growth is extremely 
rapid during the summer months. Corn is not considered a safe 
crop, though it frequently matures and more hardy varieties 
are being improved each year. Corn for the silo can be grown 
and clover and timothy do especially well. Oats, barley and 
wheat can be grown successfully and peas, roots and potatoes 



Agricultural Opportunities 121 

are well suited to the soil and climate. Sugar beets yield a 
higher sugar content than further south. Apples are being 
grown successfully and there is no reason why the apple is not 
as well adapted to favored localities along the Superior shore 
in Michigan as it is to the Bayfield Peninsula in Wisconsin. 
Strawberries and all busli berries and cherries can also be raised 
with profit. The mining towns of the region afford excellent 
markets for all farm produce. The dairy industry will prob- 
ably come to be the leading type of agriculture and this will be 
carried on in conjunction with general farming. Land values are 
still cheap and the opportunities for securing good land and 
making a home at little expense are still within the reach of 
those of limited means. 

The Southern Peninsula supports several types of agriculture, 
though frequently two or more of these are combined on the 
same farm. The western portion of the state bordering on Lake 
Michigan, and especially the southern half of this strip, is known 
as the Michigan Peach Belt. The Michigan peach is known 
throughout the country and is a source of large revenue to the 
growers. Apples are grown all along the west shore of Michigan 
and throughout the south half of the southern peninsula. Grape 
growing is centered about Lawton, celery growing about Kala- 
mazoo, and the growing of peppermint in marshes throughout 
the southern portion of the state. About one-third of all the 
peppermint oil in the world is produced in Michigan. The 
growing of potatoes is a special industry of importance, devel- 
oped in some of the counties in the northern part of the south- 
em peninsula. Sugar beets and beans are also important crops. 

The type of agriculture which is most extensively developed, 
however, is general farming, with dairying as the most impor- 
tant branch. Butter and cheese are extensively produced and 
the retail milk trade in the cities and towns requires the keeping 
of large numbers of dairy cows. The raising of horses, cattle, 
sheep and swine, and the breeding of fine stock receives consid- 



122 Hints to Homeseekers 

erable attention. Corn, oats, wheat, rye, barley and hay are 
the chief general farm crops. 

The southern half of the southern peninsula is much more 
highly developed than the northern half, though development 
in the northern section is now advancing quite rapidly. The 
major portion of the northern region has a sandy loam soil, with 
some tracts of heavier land and also considerable areas of sand 
which has a low agricultural value. In selecting farms in this 
region care should be exercised and no land should be bought 
without first carefully inspecting it. The sandy hardwood land 
is considerable better than the sandy pine land, although there 
may not be much difference in the surface appearance of the 
two classes of land. 

The soils of the southern part of the southern peninsula vary 
from sand to clay and frequently several types may be found 
in the same field. The heavier soils predominate, however, and 
are well adapted to all the general farm crops grown at pres- 
ent. Alfalfa is being introduced and every farmer should make 
an attempt to grow it, starting on a small scale. 

Michigan is very well located in regard to markets, has an 
abundant supply of pure water in lakes, streams and springs, 
and an annual rainfall of about thirty-two inches, which is nor- 
mally well distributed throughout the year. Many people are 
attracted to the state each year on account of the beautiful 
lakes, delightful climate and good fishing. Agriculture offers 
many good opportunities and those looking for land in which 
to invest, or for a farm on which to establish a home could well 
afford to visit the state and make an investigation of conditions. 



124 



Hints to Homeseekers 



1^ 



aVisconsin 




Map 10. — 8oil and Agricvltural Map of Wisconsin. 



Agrictdtural Opportunities 125 

Map Legend. 

1. Glaciated soils containing limestone material. Light col- 
ored silt loam (Miami silt loam) predominating type. Black 
silt loam (Carrington silt loam) also extensively developed 
throughout prairie regions. Entire region excellent farming land 
and highly improved. Dairying leading industry. Corn, hay, 
oats and barley leading crops. Alfalfa quite extensively grown. 

2. Sandy soils within glaciated limestone region, chiefly Miami 
sandy loam. General farming, very little dairying, potato rais- 
ing and some trucking. Considerable unimproved land in north- 
ern part. All hardwood land. 

3. Sandy soils glaciated but outside of the limestone region 
chiefly Coloma sandy loam and Coloma sand. Good potato soil 
and trucking land. General farming on heavier phases. Some 
dairying. All hardwood land. Considerable unimproved land 
in northern part of state. 

4. Areas of deep sand, mostly Jack pine land. Low agricul- 
tural value and but slightly improved at present. 

5. Loams and silt loam soils in glaciated region having no 
limestone present. Original timber hardwood with some hem- 
lock, white and Norway pine in places. Somewhat stony in 
places but very good general farming land. Well adapted to 
clover and alfalfa can be successfully grown. Corn can be 
matured. Dairying rapidly increasing. Consideirable unim- 
proved land. Values very reasonable at present but prices of 
land rapidly increasing. 

6. Silt loam soils of the unglaciated region of loessial origin. 
Mostly Knox silt loam. Topography rolling to hilly. Dairying 
an important industry. Good general farming soil. NumeroiL'^ 
good locations for apple orchards. 

7. Largely residual sandy loams, mixed in places with loessial 
silt. General farming, dairying, some trucking and small fruits. 

8. Flat sandy area with numerous marshes. Original timber 
chiefly pine. Soils require very careful handling to produce 
good yields. Low agricultural value. 



126 Hinls to Homeseekers 

9, Areas of red clay. A strong productive soil, though some- 
what difficult to handle. General farming and dairying. Al- 
falfa successful where drainage is adequate. Good grass land. 

Wisconsin stands for progress and achievement. Along the 
line of agriculture this state offers opportunities which are 
equaled by few, if any, of the other states in the Union. Wis- 
consin leads all other states in the development of the dairy in- 
dustry. In 1909 there were 6,235 creameries in the United 
States and of these 1,000 were in Wisconsin. At the same time 
there were 3,846 cheese factories in the United States, of which 
1,784 were in Wisconsin. 

In the variety, quality and yield per acre of crops the state 
occupies a front position. The following summary shows Wis- 
consin's standing among the states producing sufficient quan- 
tity of the various crops to warrant consideration. The irri- 
gated states are not included for the reason that the cost and 
labor of irrigation are not clearly enough determined so that an 
accurate comparison can be made. The rating for corn, barley, 
oats, spring wheat, potatoes and flax are for the ten years 1901- 
1910 inclusive, while the others are from the latest tables, all 
being from the statistics of the United States Agricultural de- 
partment : Crop Reporter and Yearbook : 

Flax — Of all states producing flax during the ten year period 
ending 1910, Wisconsin stands first. 

Barley — Among the nine states producing 1,000,000 bushels 
or more during the ten year period ending 1910, without irriga- 
tion, Wisconsin stands first. 

Oats — Among the sixteen states growing 10,000,000 bushels or 
more during the ten year period ending 1910, without irriga- 
tion, Wisconsin stands first. 

Spring Wheat — Among the seven states producing more than 
1,000,000 bushels of spring wheat, without irrigation labor and 
expense, during the ten year period ending 1910, Wisconsin 
stands first. 



Agricultural Opportunities 127 

Potatoes — Among the eight states producing 10,000,000 bushels 
or more per year during the ten year period ending 1910, Wis- 
consin stands second. Led only by a state using an enormous 
amount of commercial fertilizer. 

Rye — Among the thirteen states producing 500,000 or more 
bushels of rye in 1909, without irrigation, according to the lat- 
est ten year tables, Wisconsin stands fourth. The three states 
leading Wisconsin do so by a very sUght margin. 

Com — Among the twenty-five states producing 25,000,000 
bushels or more during the ten year period ending with 1910, 
Wisconsin stands fifth. The leading state, Ohio, leads Wiscon- 
sin by only 2.4 bushels, Indiana by 1.5, Illinois by 1.3 and Penn- 
sylvania by 1.1. 

Hay — Of all the states not using irrigation, according to the 
latest tables for a ten year period, Wisconsin stands fifth. 

Sugar Beets — The statistical tables indicate that Wisconsin 
leads all non-irrigated states and comes within a ton per acre of 
equaling the average of the irrigated states. 

No state produces more high grade, pure bred seed for ship- 
ment to all parts of the world than Wisconsin. No state has bet- 
ter facilities for educating the farmer and this means that Wis- 
consin will continue to raise choice seed, fine stock and make 
still greater strides along all lines of agriculture. 

Measured by the standard of markets, Wisconsin is probably 
without a rival in the advantage of location. Bounded on the 
north and on the east by two of the largest lakes in the world ; 
on the west by the longest River, which flows through a rich, 
prosperous country to the Gulf, thereby with its water-ways 
reaching nearly half of the population of the entire country. On 
its southern boundary adjacent to Chicago, one of the greatest 
market places in the world; adjoining on the west the twin 
cities' grain milling center; possessing in its metropolis one of 
the largest ports in the country, and with fifteen million people 
living in the state and in the states bordering Wisconsin, nothing 
more could be asked or afforded geographically. 



128 Hints to Homeseekers 

The question of water is an important consideration and Wis- 
consin is blessed by having an abundant supply of pure water 
in the form of thousands of lakes, rivers and springs. During 
the World's Fair at Chicago thousands of visitors quenched 
their thirst with water piped directly from the Waukesha 
Springs of the Badger State. Wisconsin has a generous amount 
of rainfall, well distributed throughout the year so that crops 
are never a complete failure on account of lack of moisture. 

Wisconsin has a climate which is invigorating, bracing- — the 
kind that makes a man want to do things. The winters are cold 
and frequently severe, but the summers are mild and very pleas- 
ant. Because of the delightful climate and the many beautiful 
lakes, Wisconsin is rapidly coming to be the summer resort of 
the middle west. 

Wisconsin's greatest resource, however, is in the soil, and the 
marked progress which is being made throughout the state 
along the line of agriculture is due largely to the scientific 
methods which are being applied to the growing of grains, fruits, 
stock and the management of the soil. 

The southern half of the state is well settled, highly improved 
and embraces some of the finest farming land to be found any- 
where. Land values are high — higher than in Michigan for ex- 
ample, but not as high as in many parts of Illinois, and the 
methods of farming followed are considerably above the average. 
While the soils are subject to wide variations, the predominating 
type is a silt loam. In the regions which were originally tim- 
bered this soil is light colored, while on the prairies it is black. 
The soil is remarkably productive and responds quickly to care- 
ful management. Numerous areas of marsh land will <^^^ great 
wealth to the state when drained and reclaimed. 

The northern half of the state is a vast empire of undeveloped 
resources. The soils range from sandy loams to silt loam and 
red clay, with the silt loam predominating. There are also some 
areas of sand which have a low agricultural value, but these 
tracts are of much smaller extent than the desirable lands. The 
pine has all been removed and also the greater proportion of the 



Agricultural Opportunities 129 

hardwood. Most of it is a cut-over country with the fanning 
opportunities just beginning to be appreciated. Land values 
range from $3.50 per acre up, depending upon the location, the 
character of the soil, surrounding development, and the im- 
provements on the land. Clover and grasses do remarkably welt 
and have a flavor which is imparted through the dairy cow to 
butter and cheese to such an extent that these products from 
Northern Wisconsin are coming to be recognized as of the finest 
quality. Corn can be matured in all parts of the state, though 
in the northern portion it does not always escape being damaged 
by the frost. It is grown for ensilage throughout all sections. 
Oats, barley, wheat, sugar beets, peas and potatoes are among 
the crops which grow successfully and with profit in all parts of 
northern Wisconsin. The dairy industry is taking the lead and 
is the most important type of farming, in the newly developing 
regions as well as in the old established communities. Alfalfa 
is coming to be a very important crop and will greatly assist in 
the higher development of the dairy industry. 

On the Bayfield peninsula on Lake Superior and in Door 
Countj^ bordering Lake Michigan, the growing of apples, cher- 
ries and berries is receiving considerable attention, and is meet- 
ing with very good success. The southwestern portion of the 
state is also considered well adapted to apple culture and the 
fruit industry offers many opportunities. The growing of straw- 
berries, raspberries, currents, etc., has developed into a profit- 
able industry at Sparta and at a number of other places, though 
on a smaller scale. Raising peas, beans, tomatoes, etc., for can- 
ning purposes received considerable attention and the trucking 
industry in general is being extended in various sections. 

Considering Wisconsin's location in regard to markets, the 
climate, soil, the spirit of progress which prevails everywhere, 
and considering the fact that throughout this part of the coun- 
try the farmer is really the man of affairs, the opportunities of- 
fered along the line of agriculture in AVisconsin are equalled by 
fcAV, if any, of the other sections of the country. 
9 



130 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map 11. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Ohio and Indiana. 



Agricultural Opportunities 131 

Map Legend. 

1. Lacustrine Soils, timbered, chiefly of the Dunkirk series. 
Light gray to brown soils with drab, gray and mottled sub-soils. 
Some marsh areas also. Chiefly formed from wash from sand- 
sitone, shale and limestone. Variable as to texture. Occurs as 
extensive level to undulating tracts and as terraces along Lake 
Erie. Devoted to general farming and to fruit raising along 
lake shore, especially in northeastern Ohio. 

2. River Bottoms. Soils of alluvial origin and naturally very 
productive. A considerable portion is deficient in drainage and 
some subject to overflow. All general farm crops common to 
region grown. 

3. Light colored timbered soils of glacial origin. Mostly silt 
loam. Extensive tracts of undulating to gently rolling country. 
First class general farming region. Corn, grains, grass, dairy- 
ing and livestock. 

4. Light colored timbered soils of loessial origin, chiefly silt 
loam. Quite badly eroded along streams. Adapted to grain 
growing, general farming. Some dairying and stock raising. 
Some fruit also raised. 

5. Soils chiefly from sandstone and shales. Light colored, tim- 
bered and includes the roughest portions of Ohio. General 
farming chief type of agriculture. 

6. Residual limestone region. Soils naturally strong and pro- 
ductive. General farming. 

7. Very similar to No. 5 though less broken. 

8. Black prairie soi^s of glacial origin. Level to gently undu- 
lating. Good general farming land. Corn important crop. Some 
small grains. Dairying. 

9. Black Prairie soils of loessial origin, chiefly. Corn land. 
General farming and some dairying. Considerable areas of de- 
ficient drainage. 

10. Lacustrine soi^s, largely prairie. Natural drainage de- 
ficient over considerable areas. Some swamp land. Corn, gen- 
eral farming and dairying. 



132 Hints to HomeseeJcers 

Ohio. 

Ohio is one of the moic important agricultural states in the 
Union, and the advance which is now being made in the state 
along the lines of scientific fanning, is certain to place the com- 
monwealth in even a higher position than it occupies at the pres- 
ent time. 

From the standpoint of soils, Ohio falls naturally into four 
more or less distinct provinces. To a certain extent these may be 
considered agricultural, as well as soil provinces, since the dif- 
ferent soils are adapted to different crops. As this adaptation of 
soils to crops is recognized, agriculture gradually advances to a 
higher stage of development. 

As indicated on the map the greater proportion of the state has 
been influenced by glacial action and is included in the Glacial 
and Loessial Province. The greater portion of this region con- 
sists of light colored upland soils which were timbered. In the 
western and north central parts of the state the soils extend to 
a great depth and are found overlying limestone, chiefly. They 
are adapted to general farm crops and have a special adaptation 
for truck, fruit in places and alfalfa. In the northeastern part 
of the state the soils are light colored and are derived largely by 
feeble glacial action from sandstones and shales. These soils are 
adapted to potatoes, grass, bats, and in less elevated positionsi to 
corn. 

The entire Glacial Province may be considered as forming the 
richest agricultural division of the state. The topography is 
undulating to gently rolling, with comparatively few rough re- 
gions, and agriculture is highly developed. There are extensive 
areas of lowlying black land, .some of which has been drained 
and reclaimed and is now producing excellent crops of corn and 
other farm crops. There are also some prairie regions within 
this province. 

Along the shore of Lake Erie and extending to the southwest 
from Toledo is a considerable area included within the Glacial 
Lake and River Terrace Province. This region was at one time 
all covered by water, the surface is level to undulating or gently 



Agricidtural Opportunities 133 

rolling and it included a large amount of fine agricultural land, 
devoted chiefly to general farming, though immediately along 
the lake considerable fruit is grown. 

The southeastern portion of the state is included in the Ap- 
palachian Mountain and Plateau Province and is the roughest 
and least improA^ed section of Ohio. There are extensive coal 
deposits in this region and while agriculture is important it has 
not been as highly developed as elsewhere. The soils of this 
province are largely residual from sandstone and shale. Many 
of the slopes are adapted to fruit. There are large tracts of 
land well suited to grass for hay and pasture and most of the 
general farm crops do fairly well, where the topography i.s not 
too rough. 

In the southwestern portion of the state there is a narrow 
belt of residual soils from limestone, but this tract is quite small 
as compared with the other sections described. It falls within 
the Limestone Valleys and Uplands Province. General farming 
is established in this region, and some special crops including 
tobacco are also grown. 

The raising of certain crops are confined largely to certain 
portions of the state. Tobacco, for example, is confined chiefly 
to the southwestern counties. Potatoes, ensilage corn, apples 
and maple syrup are produced more extensively in the northeast- 
ern portion than e^.sewhere. The dairy industry is developed to 
a greater extent in the northeastern counties than in other re- 
gions. AVhile oats is grown throughout the state there is more 
raised in northwestern Ohio than in other parts of the state. 
General farming, stock raising and feeding and breeding are car- 
ried on throughout the central, western and northern parts of 
the state. 

Ijand values throughout the leading farming regions are high. 
The census returns indicate that during the past two decades 
the rural population has been decreasing and the average size 
of farms has been increasing. 

As in other well improved sections, the greatest opportuni- 



134 Hints io Ilomeseekers 

ties in agriculture are to be found along the line of more inten- 
sive farming and in specializing. In order to attain the great- 
est success the most scientific methods should be followed. The 
state is aiding in the higher development of agriculture in many 
ways, the most important one of which is in having a soil sui'- 
vey made of the entire state. Reports covering portions of this 
work are now available and other reports may be obtained free 
through the U. S. Bureau of Soils as rapidly as the work is com- 
pleted. A study of these reports will give detailed informa- 
tion concerning the soil and agricultural development in all por- 
tions of Ohio. 

Indiana. 

The state of Indiana is very uniform in the methods and 
types of agriculture which are followed at the present time. 
Soil conditions are also about as uniform as can be found in any 
of the other states, though from the surface geology and from a 
soil standpoint four divisions may be made, as indicated on the 
map. 

The old glacial lake beds were occupied by water thousands 
of years ago and the soils found in these places today are very 
high in organic matter content, especially the heavy types, 
which are very productive. Areas of peat are also found but 
many of these are still undrained and undeveloped. The rec- 
lamation of these areas will greatly increase the area of agri- 
cultural land in the state. The surface of this division i,s flat 
to undulating and the natural drainage is defective. Open 
ditches and tile drains are necessary for the removal of the sur- 
plus water. Much of the land is drained and cultivated, though 
there are tracts of considerable size where the draiijage prob- 
lems have not been worked out. As most of this class- of land 
is near Chicago it is very valuable when once properly drained. 
There are good opportunities for those who have capital and ex- 
perience in the development of such tracts. 

The River Flood Plains form another important division. The 
bottom lands along the Ohio River and its tributaries within 



Agricultural Opportunities 135 

the state are all naturally very productive and in many places 
highly developed. While much of the land is protected by 
levees, drainage is the chief problem and large tracts of rich 
land are not cultivated because the drainage is defective. Many 
extensive projects have been installed but there are still thou- 
sands of acres to be reclaimed. 

The portion of the state indicated on the map as consisting of 
glacial material is a highly developed agricultural region, where 
general farming is the leading type of agriculture followed. 
Dairying and stock raising are important industries and much 
thoroughbred stock is raised both for the block and for breed- 
ing purposes. Land values are high and a large percentage of 
the land is improved. The surface is level to gently rolling, with 
a few morainic regions of limited extent. Peat marshes of con- 
siderable size are found, especially in the northwestern section. 
But few of these have been reclaimed, though they offer good 
opportunities for the agricultural engineer. When properly 
drained and supplied with potash and phosphoric acid they will 
be very productive. The soils of the upland region of the divi- 
sion range from sand to clay loam. There are large prairies 
where the soil is black. There are also large uniform areas of 
a light colored silt loam. Most of the soils are included in the 
Miami and Carrington series as mapped by the Bureau of Soils. 

A large portion of the southern and western part of the state 
is indicated on the map as loessial material. The soil of this re- 
gion is chiefly a silt loam and classed as Marshall silt loam by 
the Bureau of Soils. Agriculture is quite highly developed over 
most of the region, though there are opportunities for the intro- 
duction of improved methods in some sections and for men who 
will specialize along particular lines of agricultural production. 

As a whole Indiana is highly developed. It is within eas}'- 
reach of excellent markets and is supplied with first class trans- 
portation facilities. As land values are high the opportunities 
are not as attractive to the young man of limited means as in 
regions less developed. To make the greatest success on high 
priced land it is necessary to specialize. 



13G 



]Ii)ils lu lIomcMckcrs 




Map \2.—H())] and Aoricullurnl M(il> of Illinois. 



Agricidtuml .Opportunities 137 



Map Legend. 

1. Unglaciated region. Predominating soil a yellow silt loam 
consisting of loess to depth of about ten feet. The underlying 
material is largely a residual reddish clay from limestone. Sur- 
face rolling to very hilly. Slopes badly eroded. Rather diflfi- 
eult to cultivate. Originally timbered. 

2. Morainic areas. Includes material from Wisconsin, Illi- 
noisan and lowan glaciation. Surface gently rolling to rolling. 
Includes much good agricultural land. 

3. Gray prairie region. Predominating soil consists of a gray 
silt loam resting upon a heavy, impervious clay, sometimes 
called "hardpan. " Surface level to gently undulating and 
natural drainage deficient. Organic matter content low. Grain 
raising, general farming and some stock chief types of agricul- 
ture. 

4. Brown silt loam prairies. Spoken of as "The ordinary 
prairie land." Brown to bkck silt loam soil resting upon yel- 
lowish silty clay. Surface gently undulating to rolling, with 
fair to good surface drainage. Very highly improved. Excel- 
lent corn land. Large amounts of stock raised and fed. Some 
dairying. Land values very high. Contains some small "black 
prairies." 

5. Black Prairie Lands; Sometimes called "gumbo." Soil 
black, sticky clay loam underlain by drab to yellowish silty clay. 
Surface flat and drainage deficient. Contains numerous areas 
of "Brown prairie land," which is more rolling. Good corn 
land. Stock raising important. Land mostly highly improved. 
Values high. 

6. Loessial hill regions. Soil chiefly deep yellow silt and very 
fine sand of loessial origin. Forms uplands bordering stream 
bottoms. Surface hilly with many steep slopes. Erodes to con- 



138 Jlinh lo Homcseekers 

siderable extent. Drainage good. General farming, some stock 
and little fruit. 

7. Wisconsin silt loam region. Mostly from Late Wisconsin 
glaciation. Chief soil a yellow silt loam underlain by yellow- 
ish-brown silty clay loam. Numerous moraines and marshy 
area,s included. Dairying and general farming chief types of 
agriculture. Trucking also important in certain sections. Land 
highly improved. 

8. Sandy loam region. Soil chiefly a brown sandy loam from 
lowan glacial material. Rests upon limestone at from four to 
ten feet. Low in organic matter. Has excellent drainage but 
requires careful management to increase and maintain produc- 
tivity. General farming chief type of agriculture. 

9. Bottom lands, swamps and sand areas. Texture of bottom 
soils variable, though mostly heavy. Large areas subject to 
overflow. Soil strong and natura^.ly productive. INIany large 
swamp areas can and ai-e being reclaimed with profit. 

Illinois. 

Illinois is one of the leading states in agricultural wealth. 
Taken as a whole the land is highly developed and a very large 
percentage of the state is under actual cultivation. Dairying is 
a very important industry, especially in the vicinity of Chicago 
and St. Louis ;iiul ahui^- the main railroad lines leading into 
these cities. Stock breeding and feeding are highly developed, 
especially in the northern and west central i)ortions of the state. 
Corn is the leading croj) and it. is grown more extensively 
tlirougliout these portions of the state than in the southern part. 
Practical ly all ol" the corn finds its way to market in the form 
of beef and poi-k. The i-egion is also well adapted to oats and 
grasses. 

The soils of the northern portion of the state consist chiefly 
of glacial drift with some old glacial lake beds in the vicinity of 
Chicago. The topogi-;i])hy is mostly level to undulating prairies 



Agricultural Opportunities 139 

and over large tracts the natural drainage is defective. Both 
tile drains and open ditches are in extensive use. The soil con- 
sists largely of dark brown and black silt loams, which are very 
fertile and well adapted to corn and grasses. Along the streams 
are narroAV belts of lighter colored soils which originally sup- 
ported a growth of timber. This class of land is better adapted 
to grass and grain crops than to corn. In the southern part of 
the state there are extensive areas of grayish or light brown silt 
loam of loessial character which is adapted to grass, grain, cow- 
peas, fruit, etc. Considerable corn is raised but not as exten- 
sively as in the northern portion of the state. The topography 
is more rolling than in the northern part and the natural drain- 
age is better. 

Along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers there are large amounts 
of bottom land, some of which are highly developed. Much of 
the land is protected by levees but the natural drainage condi- 
tions are poor. The soils are naturally very productive and the 
great problems that must be solved in the development of such 
land are drainage questions. 

As a general proposition land values have reached such a high 
point in Illinois that it is difficult for a young man of limited 
means to buy a farm and come out whole on a general farming 
proposition. The average size of farms is gradually increasing 
due to the fact that when a farm is for sale it is bought by a 
large land owner and added to his already extensive holdings. 
The man who sells usually seeks for land in some section of 
country less developed where values are lower. Thousands of 
Illinois farmers have sold out in the last decade and have moved 
to the Canadian Northwest. Others have gone to the western 
part of our own country and some have gone to the rich prairie 
regions of Alabama and Mississippi where black prairie land 
can be bought for one-fourth, or less, what land sells for in 
Illinois. 



]40 Hints to Homeseekers 

The lujin o\' limited means and experience! should not buy higli 
priced land anywhere for farming purposes. Good land can be 
secured cheaply in many sections of the country where all of 
the necessities of life can be readily secured and where good 
schools, church(>s and places for social gatherings are available. 
Aside from making a good living in such a section the land will 
increase in value. 

'I'hc man of experience and means who wishes to specialize 
along some particular line of agricultural production will find 
excelhmt openings in Illinois. He will be close to the best of 
jiiarkcts and in toucli with things in general. 



142 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map 13. — Soil a??ri Agricultural Map of Minnesota. 



Agricultural Opportunities 143 



Map Legend. 

1. Lacustrine soils of the Rod River Valley. p]xtensive prai- 
rie region with black soils consisting largely of silt loam, silty 
clay and clay of the Fargo series. Soils contain large amount of 
organic matter and are very calcareous. Devoted chiefly to the 
raising of grain. Drainage usually deficient and soil inclined to 
be cold. Grains and grasses do well. Season too short for corn. 

2. Undulating to gently rolling glacial prairie soils ranging 
in color fi-om dark grayish-brown to black. Usually fairly well 
supplied with lime. Loams and silt loams predominate. Region 
includes some moraines which are rougher. Small amount of 
timber originally along streams. Excellent general farming 
country. Corn, oats, wheat, barley, flax and grasses all do well. 
Dairying important industry. Most of region well improved. 

3. Light colored timbered soils, of glacial origin. Includes 
large area of pine land, hardwood land and regions of mixed 
growth. Considerable areas of sandy loam and loam soils. In- 
cludes the least developed portions of state. Adapted to grasses, 
small grains, potatoes, corn and some trucking in southern por- 
tion. Dairj'ing is being extended to a considerable extent. Ex- 
tensive mineral deposits in northern part. 

4. Soi^s of Loessial origin light colored, mostly silt loam. Re- 
gion badly eroded along streams. Soil fertile and the region is 
a good agricultural section. Adapted to general farm crops and 
dairying. Grains do well. 

5. Lacustrine soils, originally timbered, having light colored 
surface and red sub-soil. MostV clay and clay loam, of Superior 
series. Good general farming soil, though often the natural 
drainage is poor. Surface usually nearly level. 

6. Dark colored, prairie soils of loessial origin, mostly silt 
loams. Good general farming region. 



144 Hints to Ilomeseekers 

Minnesota 

The state of Minnesota may be divided into several distinct 
regions from the standpoint of its soil formation and within 
these sections there are at least four more or less distinct types 
of agriculture followed. 

The southern and southwestern portions of the state are made 
up largely of gently rolling prairies. AVhile the black prairie 
regions are very extensive, there are also areas of light colored 
soils, but such areas are usually confined to country adjacent to 
watercourses or morainic belts and this class of land is where all 
of the timber originally grew. The soils of this region are quite 
uniform and of the heavier textures, chietlj^ silt loams and clay 
loams. They are naturally productive and the country is now 
well improved and very prosperous. The region when first set- 
tled became a vast grain growing section with wheat as the lead- 
ing crop. This type of farming, however, has gradually given 
way to a more diversified system until at the present time gen- 
eral farming is now the leading type of agriculture, with dairy- 
ing on the increase and stock raising as an important branch. 
The breeding of thoroughbred stock has reached considerable 
proportions and the feeding of stock for the block is also re- 
ceiving attention in many localities. 

The Red River Valley, in the northwestern part of the state, is 
another distinct agricultural region and it is also a distinct soil 
province. It is a grain growing section and wheat is the leading 
crop, though oats and flax are also important crops. The season 
is too short to mature corn, though it can be grown for fodder. 
Grasses do Avell and a number are taking up dairying and follow- 
ing general farming, though these farmers are in the minority 
at present. The soil consists largely of alluvial silt. It is black 
in color and naturally veiy productive. The surface of the en- 
tire region is level to undulating and the natural drainage is de- 
ficient. This makes the soil somewhat cold and backward in the 
spring. Tile drains should be installed to a greater extent than 



Agricultural Opportunities 145 

at present. Farming in this region is on a large scale and may- 
be classed as extensive agriculture, though the tendency at pres- 
ent is to reduce the acreage and cultivate more thoroughly. 

East of the Ked River Valley and north of St. Paul and Min- 
neapolis and extending to the Canadian line is a vast region, 
comprising about one-third of the state, but slightly developed. 
It is the timbered portion of the state and while the original 
growth included considerable tracts of pine, the major portion 
of the timber was hardwood. In the extreme northern part of 
the state there is still considerable timber standing but most of 
the pine and a large amount of the hardwood has been cut. The 
cut-over lands are being cleared and farms developed and im- 
provement in that section is quite rapid. The soils as a rule 
are sandy, but are well adapted to grasses, forage crops and 
dairying will doubtless be the leading type of farming. Some 
of the hardy varieties of com can be matured in the southern 
part of the region and corn can be grown for silage in all por- 
tions of the area. Potatoes do very well also and are an impor- 
tant crop in a number of localities. Land in this region is 
cheaper than elsewhere in the state and many excellent oppor- 
tunities are afforded for investment and for the establishing of 
farm homes. 

In the vicinity of St. Paul and Minneapolis and also near 
Duluth some trucking is carried on and more intensive agricul- 
ture is practiced than elsewhere in the state. 

The state is well supplied wih railroads and markets are ex- 
cellent. The cities of St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth take 
large amount of farm produce and the mining regions of the 
north also require a large supply of farm and garden produce 
for which good prices are always paid. 

The rainfall varies from about twenty inches in the Red River 

Valley to about thirty inches in the eastern and southeastern 

portions of the state. Dry farming methods are followed to 

some extent along the western border, but under normal condi- 

10 



146 Hints to Honieseekers 

tions fair crops are obtained under the usual methods of culti- 
vation. 

The Agricultural College of the University of Minnesota and 
the Experiment Station forces are doing a great deal to assist 
the farmers of the state in dealing with soil and farm manage- 
ment problems, and these institutions are always ready to give 
out information concerning conditions within the state. 



]4S 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map U.—Soil and Agricultural Map of Iowa and Missouri 



Agrioultural Opportunities 149 

Map Legend. 

1. Glacial soils of Wisconsin Drift sheet, probably with some 
loessial material. Good general farming country. Level black 
prairies, drainage often deficient. Corn, oats, hay, chief crops, 
dairy and stock raising important. 

2. Glacial soils of lowan Drift sheet, probably with some 
loessial material. Corn, oats, some wheat, hay. Dairying and 
general farming leading industries. Fat cattle and hogs raised 
quite extensively. Chiefly black prairie; better drained than 
No. 1. 

3. Morainic regioiLS. Rougher than surrounding land and 
originally timbered. Has lower agricultural value than other 
sections of state. 

4. Silt soils, mostly black and of loessial origin chiefly, with 
some glacial till areas. Extensive prairies. Excellent com land. 
Oats and hay also grown. Fruit in places along Missouri River. 
Large quantities of cattle and hogs raised for the market. Some 
dairying. 

5. Residual soils of Western Prairies. Considerable first class 
land. Partially prairie. Corn, grains, stock. Some dairying. 

6. Limestone region. Including the Ozark Mountains. Rough 
land and quite stony, though most of soil is strong and produc- 
tive. Numerous good locations for orchards, especially apples. 

7. River bottoms. All alluvial soil, naturally very productive, 
though portions are subject to overflow. Great variety of gen- 
eral farm, trucking and special crops grown successfully- 

8. Light colored loessial soils, mostly silt loam. Badly eroded 
in places along streams. Good general farming soil and also 
adapted to fruit. 

Iowa. 

Iowa is one of the leading agricultural states in the Union 
and has long been known throughout the world for its large 
production of corn, liogs and fat cattle. There is a larger 



150 Hints to Homeseekers 

percentage of the land in Iowa improved than is the case in 
any other state. Land values the state over also average higher 
than in other agricultural regions of so large an extent. Farm 
land throughout the major portion of the state, where well im- 
proved, ranges in value from $100 to $200 per acre, and even 
higher than this in some instances. Under these conditions it is 
difficult for a young man of limited means to buy a farm for 
which he must go in debt heavily, and make a success of the 
proposition. 

On account of these high land values a very large number of 
people have gone to the Canadian Northwest where land is cheap 
and the opportunities promising. During the past decade the 
average size of farms in Iowa has increased and the rural popu- 
lation has decreased, due chiefly to the high land values. 

In order that farming on high priced land may be made 
profitable it is necessary to follow more intensive methods of cul- 
tivation than was practiced when values were low. In such re- 
gions the farmers who are specializing along some particular 
line are becoming more numerous, and larger returns per acre 
are being received. In Iowa the growing of grain on a large 
scale has gradually given way to a more diversified farming, 
which would tend to keep up the fertility of the land and also 
yield a larger income per acre. 

Corn is the leading crop of the state and the raising of hogs 
and cattle, both for the block and for breeding purposes, receives 
a great deal of attention. Oats is grown quite extensively and 
wheat is one of the farm crops in some sections, but is grown on 
a much smaller scale than formerly. Large quantities of hay are 
grown and some land is devoted to grazing, though the propor- 
tion of grazing land on the majority of farms is comparatively 
small. The feeding of silage during the summer to take the 
place of a part of the pasturing, is quite common in many re- 
gions. The fruit industry has not received a great deal of at- 
tention in a commercial way, throughout the state as a whole, 
but many of the farmers have their home orchards in which 



Agricultural Opportvnities 151 

apples, pears, grapes, peaches and plums are raised successfully. 
Special attention is given fruit raising in several localities and 
excellent results obtained. Small fruits do very well in many 
localities and special crops such as potatoes, celery, onions, etc., 
are successfully grown. Alfalfa is an important crop which is 
gradually being grown more extensively. 

The soils of the state fall into five divisions though as a whole 
the soils are more uniform than in most of the other states. The 
north central portion of the state covering an area equal to ap- 
proximately one-third of Iowa consists of glacial drift. The 
eastern portion of this drift sheet is considerable older than the 
western. The eastern is known as the lowan Drift sheet and 
the western, the Wisconsin Drift sheet. These regions include 
much excellent agricultural land, large black prairie tracts and 
also some soils which were originally timbered. The area is 
more rolling in the east and has some poorly drained land in the 
west. The soils range in texture from sandy loams to clay loams 
but the silt loam is the predominating type. 

Within the glacial region and along its outer margin are some 
moraines which include the roughest areas in the state. They 
are of comparatively small extent, however. 

The largest portion of the state is taken up with soils of a 
loessial character. The loessial province includes all of the 
southern part of the state and both the eastern and western mar- 
gins. The soil is quite uniform in texture, being a silt loam, 
and there are extensive prairies upon which com is the leading 
crop. The soil is naturally very productive, the surface level to 
gently rolling, except along rivers, where it is quite rolling with 
high bluffs, and farming throughout the province is on a very 
firm basis. Land values are very high and are still increasing. 

The river bottoms along the Mississippi and the Missouri 
Rivers form another soil province. The lands within this region 
are low lying, naturally very productive but poorly drained and 
all of alluvial origin. When properly drained and protected 
from overflow they make very valuable farming land. The area 



152 Hints to Homeseekers 

as a whole is comparatively small and is not as highly improved 
as the other provinces. 

The chief opportunities in Iowa are along the line of special- 
izing in the production of certain crops, in the production of 
beef, pork or dairy products. Dairying is increasing gradually 
but is not nearly as highly developed as, for example, in Wis- 
consin. In order to make the greatest success, a small acreage 
should be cultivated intensively, and the most up-to-date 
methods followed. 

Transportation facilities are excellent in all parts of the state 
and the best of markets for all of the products of the farm are 
within easy shipping distance. The rainfall is sufficient for all 
farm crops and it is normally well distributed throughout the 
growing season. In the northwestern corner of the state the 
average precipitation is from twenty- five to thirty inches, while 
throughout the remainder of the state it is from thirty to forty 
inches. 

The climatic conditions are such that all the usual farm crops 
mature perfectly. During winter much of the fat stock is pro- 
tected only by rough sheds to keep out the wind. 

Missouri. 

Missouri is an important and progressive agricultural state 
and has a range of farm products equalled by but few other sec- 
tions of the country. The leading types of agriculture followed 
consist of general farming, with stock raising as a very impor- 
tant branch, grain growing, fruit raising, with dairying as an 
industry which is developing quite rapidly. Missouri has a 
reputation for the fine mules which are raised there, .but breed- 
ing extends over a much broader field and stock farms devoted 
to the raising of pure bred stock are numerous. Cattle, horses, 
sheep and swine are raised in large numbers. The rich agricul- 
tural country throughout this and adjoining states provides an 
excellent market for breeding stock, and St. Louis provides a 



Agricultural Opportunities 153 

good market for horses and mules, as well as for cattle and hogs 
and all of the products of the farm and garden. 

The chief agricultural products are wheat, corn, oats, hay, 
fruit, garden truck, with some tobacco. Cotton is grown to some 
extent in the southern part of the state. Most of the com is 
marketed in the form of beef and pork and the feeding of stock 
for market is a very important, extensive and profitable industry. 

The state is divided into several more or less distinct soil and 
-agricultural provinces. The Ozark Mountain region, which is 
the roughest part of Missouri, is confined to the southern por- 
tion of the state and from an agricultural standpoint is of im- 
portance chiefly as a fruit growing section. The growing of 
apples receives more attention than other horticultural ventures 
and the industry has been developed to a considerable extent. 
The country throughout this region is rough and very rocky for 
the most part. The soils are derived largely from the weather- 
ing of limestone. Much of the country is still undeveloped and 
land values in such places are still comparatively low. The 
fruit industry could be profitably extended, though in order to 
attain the greatest success the most up-to-date and scientific 
methods must be followed. 

In the valleys throughout this province and on the uplands 
where the surface is not too rough and rocky the soils are 
adapted to the production of most of the general farm crops 
grown elsewhere in the state, and these regions are being im- 
proved. 

In the west central part of the state, south of the Missouri 
Eiver, is a region covering portions of several counties where 
the soils are residual and where the country is included in what 
is known as the Western Prairie region. 

The state is crossed by the Missouri River from northwest to 
southeast and is bordered on the east by the Mississippi River. 
Along these rivers there are extensive areas of bottom land where 
the soil is of alluvial origin and naturaUy very fertile and pro- 
ductive. In the southeastern part of the state much of this was 



154 Hints to Homeseekers 

originally in a swampy condition and all of the bottom lands are 
naturally deficient in drainage. Large tracts, however, have 
been reclaimed by the construction of large drainage ditches 
and the land is being improved rapidly. Levees protect the low 
lands from overflow in most cases, but drains are necessary to 
remove the excess rainfall and to lower the water table. Where 
improved, these bottom lands are producing excellent returns 
and paying big dividends upon the money invested in the origi- 
nal purchase price and in the drainage of the land. Many good 
opportunities are presented for investment in these lands, as 
the values are still low. 

The northern portion of the state is covered with a mantle of 
loess and this extends to a short distance south of the Missouri 
River. Much of this region consists of black prairie and it in- 
cludes the richest and best developed farming sections of the 
state. Grain growing has long been important in this region 
but the acreage is being reduced and more attention is being 
given to the raising of livestock. Corn is a very important crop 
and cattle and hogs are the chief products sold from many of 
the farms. The large holdings of former years are being cut up 
into smaller farms. Dairying is on the increase. 

The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers furnish water transpor- 
tation, which is a factor not to be overlooked, and the state is 
well supplied with railroads, so that shipping facilities are in 
most cases adequate for the needs of well developed agricultural 
regions. The average rainfall of the state is about thirty-nine 
inches and this is fairly well distributed, so that periods of 
drought are rare. The state as a whole presents attractive op- 
portunities for those wishing to engage in fanning. The climate 
is mild and healthful, land is reasonable in price, and markets 
are good. 




Map 15. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Arkansas and Louisiana. 



Agriculturol Opportunities 157 



Map Legend. 

1. Residual limestone region, including the Ozark Mountains. 
Rough country but slightly improved. Many good locations for 
orchards. Soil productive but usually very stony and surface 
uneven. 

2. Appalachian Mountains and Plateau region. Rolling to 
mountainous. Soils mostly sandy. Much unimproved land. 

3. Coastal Plain region, including black prairies, rice lands, 
sandy soils with red subsoil and some loessial soils. Developing 
into fine agricultural section. Cotton, corn, rice and many other 
general farming and truck crops. 

4. Loessial soils, mostly silt loams. Of limited extent. Good 
trucking and general farm land, though erodes rapidly on un- 
prot(!cted slopes. Soil responds quickly to carefvd treatment. 

5. River Bottom Lands. All alluvial soil, naturally very pro- 
ductive. Subject to overflow in places. Requires drainage over 
large areas. Well adapted to cotton, corn and variety of gen- 
eral farm crops, including alfalfa. Suitable also for trucking. 
Considerable timber still standings. 

6. Dark colored soils, partly prairie. Mostly silt loams. Sur- 
face generally level to undulating and drainage frequently de- 
ficient. Mostly good agricultural land and some of it is highly 
developed. Rice is an important crop. On lighter soils trucking 
is carried on. 

Arkansas. 

From a soil and geological point of view the state of Arkansas, 
may be divided into five provinces, all of which are developed 
over a considerable area. 

The River Flood Plains Province includes the extensive bottom 
lands along the Mississippi, Arkansas and Red Rivers and also 
along numerous smaller streams which traverse various portions 
of the state. The soil in the bottoms is all alluvial and naturally 



158 Hints to Homeseekers 

very productive. The land is somewhat sandy along the border 
of the streams but becomes heavier as the distance from the river 
channel increases, until in the low interstream areas it is a 
heavy clay. This low land back from the streams is poorly 
drained and before the greatest success can be attained it is nec- 
essary to install drainage systems. The sandy land along the 
stream is better drained than the land further back and good 
crops can be secured on these low ridges nearly every year with- 
out drainage. Over a large part of the bottoms cotton and corn 
are. raised ^vithout ditching but the fields are irregular and in the 
spring and whenever there are heavy rains there is danger from 
too much moisture. The bottoms are protected from the rivers 
by levees which usually withstand all floods, but in times of ex- 
tremely high water a break sometimes occurs in the levee and 
much damage results from the flooding of the low lands. Land 
in this Province in Arkansas is very cheap and adapted to a wide 
range of crops. The greatest objection is the danger from flood- 
ing. 

The Atlantic Coastal Plain Province includes most of the south- 
em and southeastern portions of the state outside of the bottoms. 
The soils range from sands and sandy loams to heavy black prai- 
rie. On the prairies of southern Arkansas the rice industry has 
been developed to a considerable extent and is still growing in 
importance. Cotton is the leading crop over the region as a 
whole and some com is also grown. The soils are adapted to a 
much broader range of crops than are being grown at present. 
There is still considerable timber standing and land values are 
comparatively low especially where no improvements have been 
made. 

The Loessial Province includes deposits of silt' of loessial 
origin, found a^.ong the eastern margin of the state border- 
ing the bottoms. The soil is a silt loam which can be readily 
worked and made to produce very satisfactory crops under care- 
ful management. It offers especially good opportunities for im- 
provement. It is easily eroded where the surface is uneven but 



Agricultural Opportunities 159 

where undulating or level there is no danger from this source. 
Land of this character can be bought at a very reasonable figure. 

The Ozark Mountain region in the northern part of the state 
is included in the Limestone valleys and Uplands Province. The 
soils are derived largely from the weathering of limestone. The 
surface is for the most part rough and the soil is frequently very 
rocky. The fruit industry, especially the growing of apples, has 
been developed to a considerable extent in this region. General 
farming is also carried on to some extent, but most of the land 
is still unimproved. Some of it is too rough to be of any value 
for agricultural purposes, but there are tracts where all of the 
crops common to the region can be successfully grown and also 
where orchards can be planted. Values are still very low. 

Immediately to the south of the Limestone region is found a 
region belonging to the Appalachian Mountains and Plateaus 
Province. This covers a considerable area on both sides of the 
Arkansas River. The northern part of this region is similar in 
topography to the Limestone region but it becomes less broken 
towards the south. There are extensive tracts suitable for apple 
culture in this region and where the surface is not too rough all 
of the crops common to the region can be successfully grown. 
Continuous growing of cotton is being replaced by diversified 
farming, agricultural practices are being improved and better 
livestock is being raised. 

The state as a whole presents many excellent opportunities for 
investment in land and for the actual improvement of farming 
lands. 

Louisiana. 

The most important agricultural region of Louisiana is in- 
eluded within the river bottoms which are very extensively de- 
veloped along the Mississippi and Red Rivers. The extensive 
sugar plantations of which nearly every one has heard are lo- 
cated on these bottom soils. The low lands are protected from 
the rivers by levees, though there are very extensive areas where 



160 Hints io Ilovieseekers 

the land is so low and level that the natural drainage is very 
poor, Throup'hoiit the "bottoms" the highest land is immedi- 
ately along the river and the surface gradually becomes lower as 
the large interstream areas are reached. The texture of the soil 
also changes and while the land along the river front is usually a 
fine sandy loam, the material gradually changes until in the low 
swampy areas it is a heavy clay or clay loam. All of this soil 
material is alluvial and naturally very productive. 

At the present time a number of large drainage projects are 
being developed in the Louisiana Bottoms and thousands of acres 
of this low land are being reclaimed. Where good drainage is once 
established magnificent crops — corn, cotton, alfalfa, and sugar- 
cane are being raised. In fact certain portions of the "bottoms" 
are exceeding equal areas of Illinois in the production of com. 
With the drainage of the low lands, the healthfulness of the 
region also increases, and what has often been thought of as a 
malaria infested region fit only for colored people to inhabit, is 
now developing into a rich agricultural region with the number 
of substantial houies and enterprising white settlers greatly on 
the increase. 

Over large areas of the "bottoms" there are still valuable 
tracts of timber, but this is being rapidly cut off and the land 
made available for agricultural development. Large tracts of 
land can be bought very cheaply but it should always be borne in 
mind that before the greatest success can be attained in growing 
crops, is will be necessary to thoroughly drain the land, which is 
quite an expensive undertaking. When thorough drainage is 
once established the land is of almost inexhaustible fertility. 
General farming, stock raising, dairying and the raising of cot- 
ton and sugar-cane are the lines of farming best adapted to this 
region. Alfalfa can be successfully grown here also. 

In the vicinity of Crowley and extending into other portions 
of the state the rice growing industry has been developed to a 
considerable extent. For this crop the land must be level and 
ther(! must be an abundance of water for irrigation. As soon as 



AgriculiHral Opportunities 161 

the riee is sown and is up about four inches the land is flooded 
and the water is kept on the fields until the grain is nearly ma- 
ture. It is then drawn off so the land will dry out sufficiently to 
use modern machinery in harvesting the rice. This industry has 
proven to be a profitable one and the acreage is gradually in- 
creasing. There are large tracts of land suitable for growing 
rice and as the consumption of this grain is increasing yearly, 
the opportunities for rice growing are promising. 

The soils of the upland portion of the state belong chiefly to 
the Norfolk and Orangeburg series with some types of the Sus- 
quehanna and a number of other minor series represented. The 
greater proportion of the upland country is but slightly de- 
veloped, there being considerable areas still in timber, which con- 
sists chiefly of pine. This land is capable of being profitably 
developed but in many regions transportation faci'.ities are not 
adequate for the marketing of farm products. 

Louisiana offers many good opportunities along the line of 
agricultural development. In purchasing land in this state espe- 
cial attention should be given to the title to property, since in 
some places titles are apt to be defective. 
11 



162 



Hints to Ilomeseekers 




Map 16.— Soil and Agricultural Map of North and South Dakota. 



Agricidiural Opportunities 163 



Map Legend. 

1. Black Prairies within the glacial region. Surface level to 
undulating and gently rolling. Getting into semi-arid country 
to the west. Grain growing and stock raising chief lines of farm- 
ing. Some dry farming in the west. 

2. Prairie soils of unglaciated region. Dark grayish-brown 
soil with light gray to yellow calcareous sub-soils. Surface is a 
gently rolling plain in which streams have cut channels. Some 
broken land adjoining streams. Semi-arid region. Grazing chief 
type of agriculture. 

3. Red River Valley. Black prairie soils with high organic 
matter content. Level to gently undulating, drainage often de- 
ficient. Grain raising chief industry with general farming and 
dairying on the increase in the south. 

4. Bottom Lands. Soils of alluvial origin. 

5. Brown prairie soils in residual region, mostly clay, clay 
loam and silt loam types. The clay is commonly called ' ' gumbo. ' ' 
Undulating to gently rolling country. Soils productive, but rain- 
fall limited in most of region. General farming on the increase. 
Some dry farming. Grazing still quite important. 

6. Soils of Plains Group. Dark gray to brown surface soils, 
with light colored, almost white, very calcareous sub-soils. 
Easily eroded and white sub-soil exposed in many places, which 
are known as the "Bad Lands." Mostly silt loam. Semi-arid 
region. Agriculture not highly developed. 

7. Region of timbered, unglaciated soils, semi-arid. Surface 
quite rough and of little present agricultural value. 

North Dakota. 

North Dakota may be divided into four more or less distinct 
agricultural provinces. The extreme eastern portion of the state 
lies within the valley of the Red River and comprises a very im- 
portant grain growing section. The soil is of alluvial origin, 



164 Hints fo Homeseekers 

very dark colored, rich in organic matter and naturally very 
productive. The surface is level to undulating and the natural 
drainage is somewhat deficient. Land in this region is mostly 
held in large tracts though the tendency is to break up these 
large holdings into smaller farms and grow a greater variety of 
crops. It is probable that in time dairying may become an im- 
portant industry in this region although the growing season is 
too short for corn to mature. Grasses do well and a system of 
general farming in connection with grain growing would seem 
to offer good opportunities. 

There is a small section in the southeastern corner of the state 
where dairying has been developed to a considerable extent. The 
industry is gradually being extended and is proving to be profit- 
able. 

The greater proportion of the state is given over to a system 
of farming in which grain growing and stock raising are com- 
bined. While the soil is naturally productive, as a rule, the rain- 
fall is frequently deficient and this is usually the limiting factor 
in crop production. Within the past decade thousands of set- 
tlers have taken up homesteads throughout this region and estab- 
lished homes. There are still considerable tracts open to entry, 
though the most desirable lands have been taken. Land values 
are gradually increasing as the country develops and there are 
many good chances for investment and for engaging in general 
farming operations. The large grain farms and ranches are 
slowly disappearing before the advance of the settler and home- 
steader and it will not be long until all of the larger tracts are 
cut up into farms. All of the crops common to the corn belt, 
with the exception of corn, can be successfully grown. 

In the western and southwestern portions of the' state ranch- 
ing still predominates and as the rainfall is less further east 
this region will continue to be a ranching countrj^ until the other 
portions of the state are pretty well taken up. In the south- 
westem corner of the state the surface is very rough and broken 



Agricultural Opportunities 165 

and is best suited to grazing. The water supply for stock usually 
controls the situation and where the water is owned by one man 
he can readily control all grazing land tributary to such drinking 
places. Tn such places where the possibilities for the growing of 
cultivated crops are slight, the ranchman is comparatively secure 
and as other portions of the state are being subdivided, the sec- 
tions suited only to grazing increase considerably in value. 
With the reduction in the number of large ranches the price of 
beef advances and good cattle or sheep ranches are therefore 
better paying propositions than ever before. 

South Dakota. 

The state of South Dakota is divided into two agricultural 
districts which are separated roughly by the Missouri River. 
Throughout the eastern section diversified farming is practiced 
almost exclusively. All of the crops common to the com belt 
are grown successfully. The southern portion of the east yec- 
tion produces considerable more corn, and with considerable less 
danger, than the northern portion. This portion of the state 
has developed very rapidly during the last fifteen years and the 
population is still increasing. Dairying is gradually being ex- 
tended, though a large amount of grain is being grown and grain 
raising receives more attention than any other one line of farm- 
ing. The tendency at the present time, however, is to reduce the 
acreage of grain and pay more attention to live stock and dairy- 
ing. 

The western portion of South Dakota while considered only as 
a grazing country a short time ago is now rapidly settling up in 
many districts as government land has been thrown open to en- 
try. The soil over much of the region is strong and productive 
but the rainfall is not as great as further east in the state. Dry 
farming methods are employed with success in this region and 
such methods are necessary if the greatest success is to be at- 
tained. 'I'here is still considerable ranching in this portion of 



166 Hints to Homeseekers 

the state but the large tracts are being cut up into smaller hold- 
ings. In the Bad Lands the country is very rough, the rainfall 
is limited and thus this section is not at all suited to the growing 
of cultivated crops. It is probable that the Bad Lands will never 
be utilized for any other agricultural purpose than grazing. In 
the western part of the state there is still considerable govern- 
ment land which can be homesteaded and those wishing to secure 
a home in this way should ask the United States Land Office for 
information as to available lands in South Dakota. 

Wherever water for irrigation can be obtained and the surface 
is nearly level, irrigation may be successfully carried on. The 
government has carried on considerable irrigation work in the 
western part of the state and private concerns have also brought 
considerable land to a high state of productiveness by means of 
irrigation. In numerous instances individual farmers can in- 
stall an irrigation system of their own. 



168 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map 17. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Kansas and Nebraska. 



Agricultural Opportunities 1(59 



Map Legend. 

1. River bottoms. IMostly dark-colored soils, all of alluvial 
origin and naturally productive. Subject to overflow in many 
places, though large proportion used for farming purposes. 

2. Dark brown prairie soils, mostly clay or clay loam derived 
from slate-colored clayey shale. Soil very sticky and called 
"gumbo." Semi-arid, though some farming operations carried 
on in eastern portion. 

3. Dark-colored prairie soils occupying extensive plains where 
grazing has long been chief industry. Mostly semi-arid. Some 
dry farming and irrigation along streams. Soil productive when 
supplied with moisture. 

4. Region of sand dunes and sand hills. This section has lit- 
tle present agricultural value. Sand loose and incoherent and of 
considerable depth. 

5. Dark colored prairie soils chiefly of loessial origin. Mostly 
silt loam. Includes best agricultural region of Nebraska and 
northeast Kansas. Excellent farming country. Corn, wheat, 
oats, barley, alfalfa, dairying, livestock, fruit and truck crops in 
some localities. Semi-arid in west, mostly devoted to grazing, 
though some dry farming is being practiced. 

6. Light gray to black prairie soils from carboniferous and cre- 
taceous shales. Mostly silt loams and silty clay loams, with very 
compact, heavy sub-soils. Includes best farming country in Kan- 
sas. Corn, wheat, oats, alfalfa, barley, some truck crops dairy- 
ing and livestock. Semi-arid in west where considerable grazing 
still carried on and some dry farming practiced. 

7. Soils chiefly derived from red sandstones and shales, and 
have a decided red color. Fairly good soils, though often subject 
to erosion. Some general farming, though bordering semi-arid 
country. 



170 Jlints io Homeseekers 



Kansas. 



The state of Kansas occupies a position partly within the hu- 
mid and partly within the semi-arid portions of the United States. 
The rainfall in the extreme southeastern comer of the state is 
about forty inches while in the extreme western part it is but 
fifteen inches annually. All intermediate conditions are found 
within the state and the variations of the rainfall are the chief 
factor in determining the type of agriculture which can be most 
successfully followed. 

The elevation along the Missouri River in the northeastern 
corner of the state is about 750 feet above sea level. The surface 
gradually rises as the distance west increases until along the 
western border the elevation is about 4,000 feet above sea level. 
The variations in elevation together with the variations in rain- 
fall produce marked differences in the climatic conditions 
throughout the state. 

The agriculture regions of Kansas fall into three provinces, 
two of which are extensively developed and the third is only 
found to a limited extent. 

Most of the eastern half of the state with the exception of the 
northeast corner, lies within the Residual Soils province of the 
Western Prairie. This region includes vast areas of excellent 
farming land, a considerable amount of which is well improved 
and yielding very profitable returns. 

The western portion of the state and the northeastern comer 
are included within the Glacial and Loessial Soil province. This 
portion of the province includes considerable material of loessial 
character. The eastern extension of this province in the state in- 
cludes excellent farming sections where agriculture is highly im- 
proved and where the farmers are so prosperous as to give Kan- 
sas a national reputation. Further west as the rainfall becomes 
less, conditions become less favorable for cultivated crops and 
more grazing is carried on. In the southwestern part of the state 
is a considerable area of very sandy land where the vegetation is 



Agricvltural Opportunities 171 

very scanty and where the possibilities for improvement are re- 
mote. 

Another province consists of the River Flood Plains. Ex- 
tensive areas of bottom land are found along the Missouri, Ar- 
kansas and Kansas Rivers. This soil is naturally very produc- 
tive. In the valleys of the Arkansas and Kansas Rivers much of 
the soil is sandy but under irrigation in the west produces ex- 
cellent returns. 

Corn and wheat are the two leading crops in the state, though 
oats, rye and barley are also largely raised. Alfalfa is also a 
very important crop and one which is being grown more ex- 
tensively each year. "While there are still a considerable number 
of large wheat farms, these are gradually being cut up into 
smaller tracts and more diversified farming is coming to take 
the place of this extensive type of agriculture. The raising and 
feeding of livestock is very important and the dairy industry is 
growing rapidly. The raising of poultry has become an im- 
portant industry. The raising of fruit, vegetables, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, etc., is of considerable importance in some sec- 
tions. 

Most of the general farming operations are confined to the 
eastern part of the state east of one hundredth meridian. The 
western portion of the state is still largely a grazing country. 
Dry farming is carried on in places where the rainfall is not 
sufficient and profitable crops are secured when the dry farming 
methods are carefully followed. ' The western section is very 
thinly settled and there is still considerable public land open to 
homestead entry, though the best has been taken. There are 
many opportunities to extend farming under dry farming meth- 
ods in we-st Kansas. In the eastern portion the best opportun- 
ities are in the more intensive improvement of small farms. 

Nebraska. 

The state of Nebraska falls within several soil provinces, though 
the types of agriculture followed in the state can not be sepa- 



172 Hints to Homeseekers 

rated by the same lines. The state is bordered on the east by the 
Missouri River and traversed from west to east by the Platte 
River. Along both of these streams are found areas of bottom 
land where the soils are of alluvial origin and very rich and pro- 
ductive. 

The eastern portion of the state in the uplands is within the 
Loessial Soil province while the western part of the state is 
within the Roclry Mountain Valleys and Plains region. 

The elevation at the JMissouri River is about 1,000 feet above 
sea level, while on the western border of the state it is about 
5.000 feet. The surface in the eastern part consists chiefly of 
undulating to gently rolling prairie. Going westward some 
rough, broken areas are found and as the west and northwestern 
parts are approached the surface consists of rough, rugged buttes. 
In the north central part of the state there is a considerable 
tract of rough sand hill country where the soil is very unpro- 
ductive and of little value. The rainfall varies from about 
thirty-one inches along the east border to about fifteen inches 
along the western boundary of the state. The amount of rain- 
fall determines, in a large measure, the type of farming which 
may be followed. 

In the eastern portion o£ the state general farming, the raising 
of livestock and the raising of small grains are the chief types 
of farming practiced. Grain growing was formerly very ex- 
tensively engaged in and there is still a large amount of wheat 
raised. General farming, however, has largely taken the place 
of wheat raising and dairying is coming to be a more important 
industry. The crops grown consist of com, wheat, oats and 
hay with fruit, sugar beets and a few other crops ^rown on a 
smaller scale. Alfalfa is grown quite extensively and is one of 
the important hay crops. Wheat is grown most extensively in 
the central and southwestern parts of Nebraska. 

Large numbers of cattle are fed and fitted for market in east- 
ern Nebraska and the eastern part of the state is sometimes 



Agricultiiral Opportunities 173 

spoken of as the feed lot for the western range section of the 
state. Hogs are raised to considerable extent and much of the 
corn finds its way to market in the form of pork and beef. 

The western part of the state is semi-arid and still contains 
many large cattle ranches. A considerable portion of it is better 
suited to grazing than to the production of cultivated crops. A 
considerable amount of land in the west and southwest, however, 
is under cultivation and more is being taken up each year. Dry 
farming methods are practiced and by this means alone can 
profitable crops be secured unless the land is irrigated. In gen- 
eral, land values decrease with, the distance west from the Mis- 
souri River. There is still considerable land open to homestead 
entry in the western part of the state, but the best has been taken. 



Agricultural Opportunities 175 



Map Legend. 

1. Chiefly black prairie soils with some timbered areas. Resid- 
ual soils. Mostly well improved and adapted to great variety 
of crops, including com, oats, wheat, tobacco and some cotton. 
Dairying, general farming and stock raising. 

2. Limestone soils including outer margin of Ozark Mountain 
region. Rather rough country but soils are naturally quite pro- 
ductive. General farming and some fruit. 

3. Light-colored timbered region with soils mostly from sand- 
stone and shales. Surface rather rough and not as well improved 
as central portion of state. 

4. Coastal Plain region, including some black prairie soils, 
though most of region has light-colored timbered soils. Sandy 
loams predominate. Cotton, corn, general farming chief types 
of agriculture. 

5. Mostly black prairie soils and semi-arid. Ranching still 
important over part of region. Some dry farming. 

6. River bottoms Alluvial soil, naturally very productive. 

7. Chiefly red prairie soils with considerable areas of lighter 
colored timbered soils, especially toward the east and becoming 
semi-arid in the west. Good agricultural region with great range 
in crop production. "Wheat, cotton, corn, oats, fruits, grazing, 
dairying and general farming. Some dry farming in the west. 

Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma is situated midway between the north and the south 
and on the dividing line between the humid and semi-arid re- 
gions. Because of its peculiar location and varied conditions, 
the agriculture is more varied than in most of the other states. 
Oklahoma has been developed in a short period of time by farm- 
ers from all sections of the country, so that the population as 
well as the agriculture consists of a number of types. Originally 



176 Hints io Homescekers 

the entire state, which includes what was formerly Indian Terri- 
tory, consisted largely of extensive cattle ranches, but this in- 
dustry has given way to the homesteader and small farmers until 
at present only a comparatively small portion of western Okla- 
homa may still be classed a,s a ranching country. . 

Corn, wheat and cotton, a most unusual combination, consti- 
tute the chief crops grown for the market. In general, wheat is 
grown most extensively in the north central part, corn in the 
eastern two-thirds, though both crops are raised in various 
amounts in every country in the state. Cotton is most largely 
grown in the southern part of the state, though some is raised 
in every county except one or two. The extreme southeastern part 
of the state is largely undeveloped agriculturally and consists of 
a rough, somewhat mountainous region in which there are valu- 
able deposits of coal, and probably other minerals. 

Commercial orchards are confined largely to the eastern one- 
third of the state but nearly every farmer has his home orchard 
and garden. Kafir corn is an important substitute for Indian 
corn in the western part of the state where the rainfall is the 
least. 

Rainfall and temperature determine the principal crops. From 
an average of about forty inches along the eastern border of 
the state, the precipitation decreases gradually to about twenty 
inches along the northwest border and to less than that amount 
in western Beaver County, which occupies the extreme end of the 
arm extending along the north border of the Texas Panhandle. 
The rainfall being well distributed makes it possible to grow bet- 
ter crops than the amount of precipitation would indicate. On 
the average, two-thirds of the rainfall occurs in the months from 
April to September, the time from October to March being com- 
paratively dry. 

The dairy industry is developing quite rapidly, but the rais- 
ing of cattle in general is somewhat retarded by Texas fever, 
though this is now fairly well under control in all portions of 
the state. Where the cattle were formerly raised on large ranges 



Agric^iiltural Opportunities 177 

they are now kept on all of the small farms and the total number 
is far greater than in the days of the extensive ranches. Hogs 
are raised quite extensively in the eastern and central portions 
of the state. One of the most valuable crops produced in Okla- 
homa, and one which is growing in favor rapidly, is alfalfa. It 
is cut for hay and is also pastured to a considerable extent. 

As indicated on the map, soil provinces are represented in 
Oklahoma and the soils as well as the climate, precipitation and 
agriculture are varied. Where the rainfall is deficient, dry farm- 
ing methods are being followed to some extent and in a few places 
irrigation projects have been developed. 

The opportunities presented in Oklahoma along the line of 
agriculture are numerous. The greatest field doubtless lies in 
developing more intensive farming. Land values have risen very 
rapidly, but in many sections good farming land can still be 
bought at very reasonable prices. 

Next to agriculture, the mineral resources of the state are most 
important. Coal, oil and natural gas are found in abundance and 
their rapid development has attracted wide attention and greatly 
increased the wealth of the state. 
12 



178 



Hints to Homeseekers 



is 5 k. 

ki 5- ^ 1^ »J 




Map 19.— Soil and Agricultural Map of Texas. 



Agricultural Opportumties 179 



Map Legend, 

1. River bottoms. Soils of alluvial origin. Naturally pro- 
ductive. Subject to overflow in places. Considerable areas still 
unimproved, 

2. Black Prairie regions within Coastal Plain. Soils mostly 
clay loams and very calcareous. Surface level to undulating and 
gently rolling. Excellent farm land. Cotton, corn, alfalfa, small 
grains and general farming. Trucking along the coast. Some 
fruit. 

3. Region of sand dunes and sand hills. Of little agricultural 
value. 

4. Light-colored timbered soils of Coastal Plain region. Light- 
colored surface soil with yellow or red sub-soils. Sandy loam 
types predominate. Long and short leaf pine chief growth. Cot- 
ton, corn, chief crops. Some small grain, sorghum, cane, fruit 
and truck crops. 

5. Dark-colored residual prairie soils from limestone. Red sub- 
soils quite common. Silty clay loam and clay are chief types. 
Rock often outcrops and surface stony in many places. Rainfall 
limited — semi-arid region. Grazing still chief line, though gen- 
eral farming and some dry farming developed, chiefly in eastern 
portion. Some irrigation of small tracts. 

6. Mostly red prairie soils from sandstone and shales. Some 
timber in northeastern portion, becomes semi-arid toward the 
west. Grazing, grain, with some dry farming and general farm- 
ing chief lines followed. Land held chiefly in large tracts. 

7. Arid and semi-arid country. Grazing chief industry, though 
supply of grass limited. Some irrigation along Rio Grande 
River, especially in vicinity of Laredo. 

8. Dark-colored prairie soils in semi-arid region. Grazing still 
most important, though considerable grain and some general 
farming in the Panhandle region. Some irrigation and dry 
farming. 



380 Ifin/s lo Ifomrscckers 

Rainfall : 

a — 50 to no inches annually. 
I) — 40 lo 50 inches annually, 
c — 30 to 40 inches aiuuially. 
d — 20 to ;{{) inclie.s annually. 
— 10 to 20 inches annually, 
f — to 10 inches annually. 

Texas. 

The stale ol" Texas covei-s such au extensive scope of country 
and embraces such a diNcrsity of conditions that only brief men- 
tion can be mach' here ol" som(> of the most widely recognized 
agricultural divisions. The wide variation in the rainfall is re- 
sponsible, to a large extent, for the great range of agricultural 
practices followed. The i-ainfall viiries fi'oni over fifty inches 
along the eastern poi-tioii ol' the gulf coast to eight inches at El 
Paso. Roughly spciiking, the east half ol' the state is humid, 
while the west half is ai'id and semi-arid. A line drawn north 
and south across the state, one hundred miles west of Fort 
"Worth, and thi'ough a point midway between Corjius Christi and 
Laredo, may be said to .separate the two regions. 

What is connnonly spoken of as the coast country embraces 
the region extending from the Louisiana line to the Rio Grande 
River and back ffom the Gulf of Mexico for from fifty to one 
hundred miles. It inchuhvs soils ranging in texture from light 
sands to heavy clay loams. Tlu>re are extensive prairies of rich 
black soil and smaller areas of sand and sandy loams. The Coast 
Country is rapidly dev(>loping and it is now the largest and most 
productive ti'ucking region in the country. Much of the land is 
being sold i)i small farms to jK^ople from all parts of the Union, 
and this section of the state is being more rapidly settled than 
any othor portion. Tn the valley of the Rio Grande, near 
Brownsville, a lai'ge amount of sugar-cane is being raised and 
some ol' the lai-gest irrigation ditches in the counti'y are to be 
seen heiv. Heruuida onions are extensively grown in some sec- 



Agricultnral Opportunities 181 

lions, though the center of this industry is at Laredo, further 
up the river. They are grown under irrigation, chiefly. In the 
vicinity of Corpus Christi the rainfall is not always well dis- 
tributed throughout the growing season and considerable irri- 
gation is carried on. The water comes largely from artesian 
wells. Some dry farming methods are also followed at times. 
All of this region was at one time a ranch country and some 
stock raising and grazing are still carried on, though not nearly 
as extensively as in earlier days. Some general farming is also 
practiced. 

The eastern and northeastern ])arts of the state in the timber 
belt are very similar to the northern part of Louisiana and the 
southern part of Arkansa,s. The soils are largely of a sandy 
nature at the surface with sandy clay forming the sub-soil below 
eighteen to twenty in(;hes. The original timber in this section 
was largely pine. Throughout a portion of this region the fruit 
industry has been developed. Peaches, in particular, are grown 
extensively. The industry has not been as successful as in some 
other states and one reason for this is that many of the orchards 
are larger than the owners can properly handle and the fruit has 
not been properly graded and packed for shipment. Much of 
the crop ha,s often gone to canning factories when good prices 
could have been obtained had the fruit been placed on the north- 
ern markets in good condition. While fruit is grown quite ex- 
tensively, general farming predominates and cotton is the most 
extensively grown crop, with corn second. 

Further west in the vicinity of Fort Worth and Dallas north 
to the state line and south toward San Antonio there are ex- 
tensive areas of black prairie soil. This is devoted chiefly to 
general farming and stock raising and it is a very prosperous 
region. Some grazing is still carried on, though most of the 
land is in cultivated crops. While cotton Is grown quite ex- 
tensively, diversified farming is the rule. Alfalfa does well, but 
is not raised as extensively as it should be. The opportunities 



382 Hints to Homeseekers 

for general farming in this section and for trucking in the coast 
country are better than elsewhere in the state. 

The Panhandle country is devoted to grain raising and ranch- 
ing, with ranching on the decline and general fanning on the 
increase. Land is now sold in small tracts for farms and settle- 
ment is rapid. The rainfall is limited and dry farming methods 
are followed with good success. The country is still young and 
there is a large amount of good land that can be bought cheaply. 

"What is known as West Texas consists of a vast region from 
San Angelo to El Paso and from the Panhandle to the Rio 
Grande. This is in an arid and semi-aTid aondition, the 
rainfall ranging from eight to twelve inches. While it is most 
all classed as grazing land it takes from fifteen to thirty acres 
to supply sufficient grass for one steer. Along the Pacos River and 
a few other streams where water for irrigation can be obtained, 
considerable development has taken place. The soil in itself is 
very rich but where water is not available the land has but little 
value at the present. Dry farming has been tried in some of the 
dryest sections around El Paso with success, though development 
on a large scale along this line is not at all rapid. 

Texas offers opportunities along almost all lines of agriculture 
from the raising of grain and stock to trucking and the growing 
of Satsuma oranges. Land values are lower than in the north 
and east and in many sections of the state there is still available 
good land which can be homesteaded. As much as a section of 
farming land can be taken up by one party. Larger amounts of 
grazing land can be secured. 



Aqricullural Opporlunilics 185 



Map Lege II (I. 

1. Region including soils of glacial origin. Considerable black 
prairie soil especially in eastern part. Becomes rougher toward 
west and is quite broken over considerable areas. Grazing chief 
agricultural feature at present. Some dry farming possible. 
Mostly in semi-arid region. 

2. Rocky Mountain Valleys and Plains region. Includes ex- 
tensive, undulating prairies, some fertile river bottom lands and 
considerable land that is quite rough. Imgation practiced in 
number ol: places. Semi-arid country. Dry Jarming followed 
quite extensively. Grazing still important. Much unimproved 
land. 

3. Western Mountain regions. Very rough and mountainous 
and as a whole of litth^ agi-icultural value. Some small fertile 
valleys. 

Montana. 

Until within (juite recent years Montana has not been looked 
upon as of much importance from an agricultural .standpoint. 
Ranching was for a long time about the only agricultural in- 
terest receiving attention and this industry reached large pro- 
portions. While the rainfall is limited, the grass is very nutri- 
tious. Streams from the mountains provided water and the val- 
leys afforded protection against severe storm,s, so that expensive 
shelters for stock were never considered necessary. Under these 
conditions the ranching business progressed until the homeseeker 
began to look for land in the cattle country. When the grazing 
lands leased from the government were thrown open for home- 
stead entry the cattle business began to decline. The portions 
of the state suited to the cultivation of crops are now rapidly 
developing. 



IHd J finis to llomescelcers 

IMiicli of Montanji is ron^'li .'ind niountninous and unfit even for 
t^razirifj:, but there are numerous level valleys and extensive plains 
and elevated plateaus where irrigation and dry farming are now 
bringing agrieulture in this state to the front. 

]<^*()in the standpoint of soils, Montana is divided into three 
g(^n(>ral soil ])rovin('es. Most of the western portion of the state 
is included witliiii the Western Mountain Region province. This 
is exti*(Mnely rough and broken, and with the exception of some 
fertile valh'vs of coiiipai'ativc'ly small extent, this n^gion is of no 
value agricuKiir.illy. Mining is \\w leading industry and will 
coiitiinic to l)e, 1 hough oidy a small proportion of the known 
mineral (l('i>osits arc being worked at i)resent. Extensive copper 
mines arc in operation at present, and gold and silver are also 
found (|uit(' (>xl(Mi,sively. 

'IMic norlh ccnlral and northeastern i)ortions of the state are 
within I he (JIaeial province and the soils were derived from the 
glacial dcbi-is Icl'l by the ic(^ sheet which covered the region. The 
topogra|)hy is rolling to bi-ok(Mi, though not nearly as rough as the 
western part of the state. There are numerous valleys, the chief 
ones being along the Missouri, Milk and ]Maria,s Rivere. There 
ar(^ also som(> upland sections which are suitable for grazing and 
dry farming can be carried on over a poi'tion of the region. In 
the valleys and wherever there is water for irrigation, this type 
of agrieulture is being rapidly developed. 

1Mie southeastern portion of the state and numerous valleys 
in tlic western part ar(> included in the Rocky Mountain Valleys 
and Plains province. This region embraces extensive plain or 
l)lat(^au areas where grazing was for a long time the only type of 
agriculture. At. prc^sent. di"y farming is being carried on success- 
fully in many places where the rainfall is sufticient. The Yellow- 
stone, Musselshell, Jiigliorn and L'owder Rivers sup[>ly water for 
numerous irrigation projects which are proving that Montana 
has gn»at and important resources along the line of agriculture 
as well as mininjr. 



AgricuUural Opportunities 187 

It is necessary to irrigate or practice dry iarniinfij for raising 
cultivated crops in every portion of the state, since the rain- 
fall is not sufficient to i)ermit cjistem methods to be used. 

In the southern and western portions of the state in the irri- 
gated valleys fruit is being successfully raised. Of other crops 
grown, peas, barley, oats, wheat, sugar beets and potatoes are 
the most important. Corn can be grown for fodder but it can- 
not be depended upon to mature with any degree of certainty. 
There are many opportunities for engaging in dry farming 
operations and irrigated lands can be secured at reasonable 
prices. Unimproved land suitable for irrigation can also be 
secured. Dairying will doubtless develop to a considerable 
extent. Improvement and settlement are taking place rapidly 
and land values are gradually advancing. 



188 



Hints to Honreseekers 



\)(/YOMIN(j 




Map 21. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Wyoming. 



Map Legend. 

1. Including the chief National Forest Reserves. For the 
most part rough, mountainous country. 

2. Reclamation land. Regions where water can be obtained 
for irrigation purposes and where irrigation is now. being car- 
ried on, though not over entire areas included. Sugar beets, 
alfalfa, small grains, peas, fruit and numerous other crops suc- 
cessfully grown, 

3. Mostly desert country, suitable chiefly for winter grazing. 
Quite a large number of sheep raised. 



Agriouliiiral Opportunities 189 

4. Region over which farming, ranching and grazing are 
carried on. Some portions are quite rough and mountainous, 
while again there are extensive plains. Considerable mixed 
farming. Dry farming methods quite commonly followed. 

Wyoming. 

While Wyoming is one of the least developed of the states 
its agricultural and mineral resources are attracting wide at- 
tention and advantage is rapidly being taken of the oppor- 
tunities presented. Within the state are diverse conditions of 
soil, climate and settlement. The transition from the great 
range stock business to the reclamation of extensive areas by 
irrigation and the establishing of small farms has made agri- 
cultural progress within Wyoming more rapid within the last 
ten years than during any previous period. 

The census statistics of 1910 show that Wyoming's acreage 
in cereals increased 150 per cent more than any other state and 
in production and value the increase was from twenty-one to 
sixty per cent higher than the nearest competitor. Yet the 
surface has hardly been scratched and there are vast and nu- 
merous opportunities for the establishing of farms, homes and 
varied industries. 

Three of the most important factors in the agricultural de- 
velopment of Wyoming are climate, irrigation and alfalfa. In 
various portions of the state, and especially in the Big Horn 
Basin these three are welded to a productive soil, splendid 
growing season and diverse cropping capabilities. 

The topography of the state is extremely variable, ranging 
from mountainous in the western portion, and in various other 
parts of the state as well, to broad level plains, elevated pla- 
teaus, and valleys of all sizes. 

The rainfall ranges from almost nothing in portions of the 
state to from ten to twenty inches in more favored localities. 
This makes irrigation necessary in raising cultivated crops. 



J'JO Hints to Ilomeseekers 

except where the rainfall is sufficient to insure success by fol- 
lowing dry farming methods. 

The Rig Horn Basin is probably destined to become one of 
the leading agricultural regions of the state. It contains from 
12,000,000 to 13,000,000 acres, about one-sixth of which may 
ultimately be irrigated. It is a rolling country, with its agri- 
cultural land either in narrow valleys along streams or as 
more or less level plains or plateaus on the divides between 
the water courses. There may be miles of range land or chains 
of barren looking desert clay hills separating the farming com- 
munities. Th(i irrigated oases vary in size from a few hundred 
or thousand acres irrigated by small ditches, to perhaps more 
than 200,000 acres in a body where great irrigation systems 
are being constructed. The whole country is surrounded by 
lofty mountains, whose protectiug influence is felt throughout 
the region. The basin is traversed from south to north by the 
Big Horn River, which with its tributaries, contains sufficient 
water to irrigate several times as much land as can be brought 
under cultivation. The average annual rainfall secured from 
records covering ten years within the basin is only five and 
two-thirds inches, which means that irrigation is necessary in 
all parts of the basin. 

Under irrigation the most important crops grown are al- 
falfa, potatoes, sugar beets, some small grains as oats and 
wheat and fruits. Com may be grown but the season is short 
and the nights too cool for the crop to mature with any degree 
of ccrtninty. Where the rainfall is sufficient, dry farming is 
being carried on. To obtain the best results under this system 
it is necessary to exercise great care in the cultivation of the 
soil so that tlic moisture may be conserved. Inexperienced 
parties with limited means should first acquire a knowledge 
of the system by working under the supervision of practical 
dry farmers before an attem])t is made to engage in this kind 
of agriculture. Wheat, oats, alfalfa, corn and a number of 



Agricultural Opportunilies 191 

other general farm crops, as well as garden crops, are raised 
under this system. 

There are still thousands of acres of government land open 
to homestead entry where dry farming can be carried on and 
there are also some places where land suitable for irrigation 
may be secured, Indian lands are being opened up from time 
to time for settlement and a considerable portion of these 
lands will make good farms. 

As Wyoming is in the arid and semi-arid regions, stock rais- 
ing under the range system will always be an important indus- 
try. Cattle and sheep are still raised in large numbers, though 
many of the ranches have been cut into small farms. As the 
number of small farms increases, the amount of livestock in 
the state also increases, for under irrigation or dry farming 
the land will support many more animals than the open range, 
and still leave room for other lines than stock raising. 

There is also great mineral wealth in the state, including 
coal, iron, gold, silver, copper, and many less known, though 
valuable minerals, and large tracts which have been proven to 
be oil lands. The agricultural and mining opportunities of 
Wyoming are worthy of consideration by those who wish to 
live in a region where the rainfall is limited and the air dry, 
cool and bracing. While the winters are long and cold the dry 
air makes the cold seem less intense than in liiimid regions. 



lf)2 



Hints to Homeseekers 




MAI' 22. — .S'o// and Af/riciill ii ral Mnj) of Coloradti. 



Agricultural Opportunilirs 193 



Map Legend. 

1. Western Mountain Region. Extremely rough country 
and mountainous. Of no value for agricultural purposes, ex- 
cept for small amount of grazing furnished over limited areas. 
Extensive mineral deposits. Some small fertile valleys. 

2. Chief grazing section of state where ranching was exten- 
sively carried on. Ranching now on decline and considerable 
farming carried on chiefly by dry farming methods. Extensive 
plains. 

3. Regions in which agriculture is most highly developed. 
Raising of special crops and intensive farming receives most 
attention. Potatoes, melons, fruit, sugar beets, alfalfa chief 
products. Some irrigation carried on. Dry farming and some 
grazing also carried on in this region. 

Colorado. 

In general terms the eastern one-third of Colorado may be 
said to be composed of high plains, the middle one-third of 
Rocky Mountains, and the western one-third of plateaus, step- 
ping down toward the Colorado River. Colorado has the 
highest average elevation of any of the states, it being 6,800 
feet above the level of the sea. 

The principal rivers are the North Platte, South Platte, Ar- 
kansas, Rio Grande, Yampa, White, Grand, Gunnison, Dalores 
and San Juan. None of these streams are navigable but they 
probably furnish more water for irrigation than the stream.s oF 
any other state in the semi-arid portion of the country. Most 
of these streams are drawn upon heavily in aid of irrigation. 

Colorado has an average rainfall of about fifteen inches an- 
nually and over the state as a whole there are over 300 days 
of sunshine each year, while in some sections there are over 
13 



194 Hints io Homeseekers 

340 days that are not cloudy. The state for a long time was 
considered too dry for agriculture, except in the alluvial bot- 
toms along some of the streams. The soil over much of the 
state was known to be naturally very fertile and irrigation 
was therefore undertaken to utilize the lands outside of the 
stream bottoms, as well as to increase the productiveness of 
the lowlands. Since 1880 over 20,000 miles of main canals 
have been constructed and an equal mileage of laterals. Over 
3,000,000 acres are already under irrigation and as much more 
is suitable for irrigation which the plow has never touched. 
The portions of the state now under irrigation are adjacent 
to the streams above mentioned and in all of these regions the 
amount of irrigated land could be extended. 

The crops grown within the state consist of wheat, corn, 
oats, hay, barley, Canadian peas, potatoes, cantaloupes, sugar 
beets, and all kinds of vegetables. Alfalfa is a very impor- 
tant crop. Dairying is an important industry in many sections 
and the raising of livestock is one of the chief older branches 
of farming. The fruit industry is very extensive and apples, 
peaches, pears and other fruits of excellent quality are suc- 
cessfully and profitably grown. 

There are many portions of the state where water for irriga- 
tion is not available but where the rainfall is sufficient so that 
dry farming methods can be successfully employed. 

There is still a very large amount of land in the state which 
is open to homestead entry and some of this land will in time 
be irrigated. 

The special characteristics of the climate in Colorado are a 
comparatively equable temperature, minimum precipitation, 
low humidity, minimum wind movement, maximum sunshine 
and bracing effects. There are a few cold days in winter and 
some hot days in summer, but seldom the extremes of either. 

No state in the Union has greater or more diversified par- 
tially developed resources than Colorado, and no other state 



AgriciilHiral Opportunities 195 

presents a greater combination of advantages and attractions 
to the desirable, intelligent "Home Seeker." 

Today, while the total population of Colorado compares in- 
differently with the individual! population of most of the Mid- 
dle and Eastern states, Colorado is probably producing more 
new wealth per capita per annum, than any other state in the 
Union, and from a wider range of resources. 

Moreover, Colorado, with a present population of upwards 
of 1,000,000, is still in its infancy and is fully capable of sup- 
porting a population of millions. The stream of "Home 
Seekers," more particularly from the Middle states, is increas- 
ing month by month. Every excursion train brings scores of 
farmers to Colorado. Agricultural land is selling at a com- 
paratively rapid rate and new settlers, with their families, are 
flocking in. Much the same is true as to the new arrivals in 
the cities and towns. 

The valleys of the South Platte and the Arkansas, on the 
eastern slope, present vast opportunities for more farmers, and 
could well maintain treble the present population. On the 
plains of eastern Colorado 39,000 square miles of non-irrigable 
land, as yet untouched by the plow, present unlimited possibili- 
ties, but only for the right kind of people. To the south, the 
great valley of the San Luis, as large as the state of Connecti- 
cut, is well capable of supporting a larger population than the 
whole of Colorado now has. Similar opportunities are pre- 
sented for farmers and fruit growers in the valleys of the 
Grand and the Gunnison on the western slope ; also in the 
Montezuma valley in southwestern Colorado. Northwestern 
Colorado, now being opened up by the Moffat railroad, with 
the completion of that road, will, within a comparatively few 
years, increase its present population of 10,000 to scores if not 
hundreds of thousands. 

All this increase of development and population means en- 
hanced values of the property of those who locate now. 



196 Hints to Homeseekers 

Throughout Colorado there is a shortage of metalliferous 
miners, coal miners, unskilled male labor, domestic help, etc. 

The opportunities in the cities and towns are many and 
varied for people of some capital and for wage earners in some 
lines. 

The success of new arrivals in Colorado necessarily depends 
largely on themselves ; on their mental, physical and financial 
equipment; on their judgment, sobriety, industry, persistence, 
adaptability, etc. 

Very many of the present citizens in good financial circum- 
stances, have made in Colorado all that they have. Others 
have lost some of the money they originally brought with them. 
Much depends on the people themselves. 

For the right kind of people, there are as good opportunities 
in Colorado today as there ever have been in the history of 
the state. 



198 



Hints lo Jfornesf'j'Jccrs 




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>/?:w}|(lExi(;o 



Mai- 2:1. ,Voi/ (1,1(1 Afiriciillitntl Mai* of \'cm Mexico. 



AgrictilliirdJ Opportunities lf)l) 



1. Wostern Mountain Rcj^ion. Very rough and mountainous 
and oi" little agricultural value except for small amount of 
grazing afforded. 

2. Rock Mountain valleys and plains. Sheep, cattle, horses 
and goats. While grazing of chief importance, considerable 
areas are devoted to cultivated crops and cultivated areas in- 
creasing quite rapidly. On the high plains and mesas where 
rainfall is greatest, from sixteen to twenty inches annually, 
fair success is obtained. Dry farming methods are followed in 
some regions. The most important agricultural districts, how- 
ever, are in the valleys of the Rio Orande, San Juan, Mimbres 
and the Canadian Rivers and tiieir tributaries where irrigation 
is being carried on. Alfalfa, grains, fruit and general farm 
crops grown successfully in state. Some truck also raised and 
small amount of dairying. 

Neiv Mexico. 

New Mexico lies within the arid and semi-arid portion of 
the United States. The rainfall over the greater portion of 
the state ranges from ten to twenty inches annually, though 
the extreme southwestern corner of the state has a rainfall 
considerable lower than this and some of it is in a desert con- 
dition. The portion of the; state having the most rain is in 
the northeastern section and here there are large tracts of land 
where dry farming is being successfully practiced. Fair crops 
are often raised by the usual methods of farming, though such 
methods will not insure a crop each year. 

In the valleys of the Pacos and Rio Grande Rivers several 
irrigation projects have been installed and excellent crops are 
being grown. The soil in thest; valleys is naturally very pro- 



200 Hints to Homeseekers 

ductive and when water is supplied there is almost no limit 
to the crops which can be produced. The writer visited a field 
of alfalfa which was cut eight times during one year and eight 
tons of cured hay was the yield per acre. In the Rio Grande 
Valley the United States government is now building a large 
dam across the river at Engle and it i§ proposed to irrigate 
nearly 200,000 acres in New Mexico, Texas and Old Mexico. 
When this vast area is all under irrigation it will be one of 
the garden spots of the world. The altitude is over 4,000 feet, 
the air is clear and pure and the summers are much more pleas- 
ant than in low, humid regions. The winters are very mild 
and the climatic conditions are such as to suit the most criti- 
cal. The region is adapted to the growing of pears, plums, 
apples, strawberries, alfalfa, potatoes, all general farm crops, 
including cotton and a broad range of other fruits and truck 
crops. 

In the valley of the Pacos River water for irrigation is ob- 
tained from the river and also from deep wells. There are 
numerous places where small irrigation projects could be in- 
stalled and made to yield very profitable returns. 

Throughout the state there is a large amount of government 
land which is still open to homestead entry. 

Mining is an important industry in various parts of the state 
and the mining camps furnish a good market for a considera- 
ble amount of farm produce. The state is traversed by sev- 
eral important railroad lines connecting directly with the large 
cities of the west and the east. The produce not consumed by 
the local markets goes chiefly to the cities of the middle west 
and the east. 



202 



Hints to Homeseekers 




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Map 24. — Soi^ anrf Agricultural Map of Idaho. 



Agricultural Opportunities 203 



Map Legend. 

1. Agricultural lands, irrigation not essential — rich black 
soil — mostly prairies. Grains, fruits, cattle, horses and hogs. 

2. Agricultural land and grazing. Irrigation necessary in 
places, though over large tracts irrigation impossible because 
of limited water supply. 

3. Irrigation necessary. Agricultural and grazing lands. 
Alfalfa, fruit. Mountains rich in mineral. 

4. Very mountainous. 

Idaho. 

There are portions of the state of Idaho which are rapidly 
coming to the front as agricultural regions, though the major 
portion is too rough and mountainous for the production of 
cultivated crops. 

The soil provinces represented in the state are three in num- 
ber. The Great Basin Province is confined to a narrow strip 
along the southern border. The Northwestern Inter Mountain 
Region occupies most of the southern part and extends north- 
ward along the western boundary. The northern and eastern 
sections are within the "Western Mountain Region Province 
and this section is very rough. The mountains throughout the 
state abound in mineral and a number of mines are in opera- 
tion. 

The most extensively advertised line of farming is that 
which is carried on under irrigation. Most of the best land 
suitable for irrigation, and also the largest number of irriga- 
tion projects are located along the Snake River and its tribu- 
taries. Throughout this region the best results can be attained 
under irrigation, though in some places irrigation is not es- 
sential. The fruit raising industry is developing quite rapidly 



204 Jlinls to Jlonieseekers 

and some very good results have been attained. General farm- 
inf^ is also carried on with good success and all small grains, 
corn and alfalfa are profitably grown. 

To the north of the Snake River is a scope of country in 
which dry farming can be successfully practiced in places 
and there are also tracts which have water available for irri- 
gjition. Tilni/ing is still an im])ortant industry in this section. 
On the rich, dark colored prairies grain is extensively grown 
without irrigation and fruit can be produced successfully. 

In the northern and eastern portions of the state most of the 
land is too rough and mountainous to be of any value for agri- 
<Miltural pnr|)os('S. Tiiere are a number of small valleys, how- 
('\('r, t liroii'ji'li nearly all llic I'ou^li regions, where the soi' is rich 
and will yield excellent i-ctnrns when put undei" irrigation. 

Land values are not as high as further west, along the coast, 
and the opi)ort,unities for investment and for engaging in farm- 
ing' ar(! good. 



206 



Hints to Homeseekers 



Utaa 




Map 25.— Soil and Agricultural Map of Utah. 



Agricultural Opportunities 207 



Blap Legend. 

1. Mountainous regions — surface very rough and broken and 
of little agricultural value. Provides small amount of grazing 
in places. Mineral deposits form greatest value of the region. 

2. Rocky mountain valleys and plains. Grazing chiefly. Some 
irrigation practiced with success. Large tracts of land which 
could be irrigated and more highly developed. Alfalfa an im- 
portant crop. General farming and fruit growing important. 
Large amounts of unimproved land. Rainfall limited. Some 
dry farming practiced. 

3. Great Basin region. Very dry country, requiring irriga- 
tion for the successful production of most crops. Grazing 
carried on to some extent, though the growth of grass is scant. 
Dry farming practiced successfully in numerous places. 

Utah. 

Utah lies within the arid and semi-arid regions of the United 
States and only a comparatively small percentage of the state 
is improved agriculturally. The rainfall in eastern, western 
and southern Utah ranges from naught to ten inches annually. 
These sections are mostly rough and mountainous, with some 
valleys, benches and plateaus which would be suitable for 
farming if water could be supplied. 

In the central and north central parts of the state the rain- 
fall is from ten to twenty inches annually and this region in- 
cludes the most highly improved portion of Utah. Some dry 
farming is practiced and some crops are grown under the usual 
methods of cultivation. The greatest success, however, is at- 
tained where the land is irrigated. Large amounts of land 
in this region can be made ready for irrigation with compara- 
tively little labor and where water is available splendid results 



208 Hints to Homeseekcrs 

are obtained. General farming is carried on and small grains, 
corn, alfalfa, sugar beets, fruit and truck are the chief agri- 
cultural products. Fruit raising is an important industry in 
several localities and apples, peaches, pears and small fruits 
of excellent quality are produced. 

The opportunities along the line of agriculture in Utah are 
in irrigation farming and in this field there are numerous local- 
ities not yet improved v\^hich present good openings. 

Mining is carried on quite extensively in various parts of 
the state and this industry also presents an inviting field for 
investment. 

Ranching is still receiving considerable attention and where 
vyater is not available for irrigation and v^here the rainfall is 
not sufficient to make dry farming successful, ranching will 
remain the leading industry since the land in this condition 
is not suited to anything but grazing. 




Map 26. — Hvil and AgrivnJtural Map of Xevatla. 



Agricidtural Opportunities 211 

Nevada. 

Nevada lies almost entirely within the region known as the 
Great Basin, and its agriculture is confined to a comparatively 
few small irrigation project-s and to grazing. Rainfall very 
limited and future agricultural development must necessarily 
1)6 very much restricted. Dotted areas indicate desert land. 

Over the major portion of Nevada the rainfall ranges from 
naught to ten inches annually. The only exception to this is in 
the northwestern corner where the rainfall varies from ten to 
twenty inches. An arid condition prevails throughout most of 
the region and because of this the raising of cultivated crops 
under the usual methods of farming is impossible. In topog- 
raphy the surface is mountainous for the most part, though 
the region lies largely within what is known as the Great Basin, 
and on account of the rough character of much of the country it 
would not be well suited to agriculture even under humid con- 
ditions. There are numerous valleys and benches where culti- 
vated crops could be grown if water were available, but in Ne- 
vada water is a very scarce article, therefore it cannot be classed 
as an agricultural region. 

Mining is the leading industry in Nevada and there are op- 
portunities for the extension of this field since there are un- 
doubtedly many large mineral deposits which have not as yet 
been located. 

Ranching is the chief type of agriculture practiced and this 
is confined most largely to the northern part. 

Some land in Nevada is being irrigated and very satisfactory 
results are being obtained. The United States Government in- 
stalled the Truckee- Carson irrigation project which is proving to 
be a great success. There are other smaller projects and also 
some localities where similar improvements could be made. 
Most of the farm produce from these irrigated sections is sold to 
the mining camps where very good prices are always obtained. 

The rainfall is so small that dry farming can be practiced only 
over limited areas and as yet this has received but very little 
attention. 



212 



Hints to Homeseekers 



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Arizona 



Map 27. — Soil and Agricultural Map of Arizona. 



Agncultural Opportunities 213 



Map Legend. 

1. Western Mountain regions. Very rough country of no 
value for agricultural purposes except for a very small amount 
of grazing. 

2. Rocky Mountain Valleys and Plains. Rainfall more abun- 
dant than elsewhere in state. Grazing of chief importance. Some 
general farming by dry farming methods, chiefly. 

3. Arid Southwest. Includes some of the driest portions of 
the United States. Small amount of grazing, but grass very 
scant. Much waste land. 

Most of the farm crops raised in the state are grown under 
irrigation along the Gila, Salt and Colorado Rivers and their 
tributaries. Alfalfa important crop. Some dairying, consider- 
able fruit, corn, small grains and truck crops. Some citrus fruits. 

Arizona. 

Arizona is one of the states having the least rainfall of any 
section of the United States. The annual precipitation ranges 
from naught to twenty inches. In the western and southwestern 
portions an arid condition prevails and the rainfall is from 
naught to ten inches while in the eastern portion of the state as 
high as twenty inches of rain may fall within a year. 

The mountains throughout the state are rich in mineral de- 
posits and mining is an important industry. The mining camps 
furnish good markets for considerable farm produce. 

From an agricultural point of view the state as a whole is 
best suited to grazing, and ranching is the most extensive^ de- 
veloped type of agriculture. From twenty-five to thirty-five 
acres are required for each head of stock. 

At the present time considerable attention is being given to 
the question of irrigation. There are a number of small pro- 



214 Hints to Homeseekers 

jects throughout the state and wherever water is applied to the 
land very good yields are secured. 

The Iinited States Government has recently built a large dam 
sufficient to retain water to irrigate an extensive tract in the val- 
ley of the Grila River and tributaries. The climatic conditions 
are such that oranges, dates and other semi-tropical fruits thrive. 
Alfalfa does especially well and the general farm crops common 
to both north and south can be successfully grown. "Wherever 
there is any possibility of irrigating land in this state and wher- 
ever the land is within a reasonable distance of railroad lines or 
in a section which will soon be provided with transportation fa- 
cilities, such sections present excellent opportunities for invest- 
ment and for agricultural development. The soil is naturally 
very fertile and with a supply of water available very gratify- 
ing results can be secured. 

Where the rainfall is from fifteen to twenty inches dry farm- 
ing can be carried on successfully and this system is followed to 
a limited extent. There is a large amount of public land still 
open to homestead entry. 

The climate of the state is considered very healthful and while 
the heat on the deserts and in some of the valleys is almost un- 
bearable during the day time throughout the summer, the higher 
altitudes are free from this excessive heat and the climate is de- 
lightful throughout the year. Where the temperature is the 
highest throughout the day, the nights are usually sufficiently cool 
so that one may sleep in comfort. 



216 



Hints to Homeseekers 




Map 2S.— Soil and Agricultural Map of Washington and Oregon. 



AgriciUtwral Opportunities 217 



Map Legend. 

1 . Glacial soils. Considerable land highly improved. General 
farming, dairying and fruit. Trucking and a number of special 
crops. Rainfall abundant and irrigation not necessary. 

2. Pacific Coast Soil province. Good agricultural region well 
improved. General farming, fruit, livestock, and some dairying. 

3. Northwestern Intermountain region. Extensive areas of 
level and gently rolling land mostly with limited rainfall. Grayl- 
ing, dry farming and grain raising chief industries. Consider- 
able irrigation along rivers and excellent fruit and great variety 
of farm and garden crops produced. Land under irrigation and 
in fruit very valuable. 

4. Western Mountain regions. Rough mountainous country 
of little value for agriculture except for grazing. Mineral de- 
posits of value found in these sections. 

5. Great Basin. Low rainfall. Arid region. Chiefly a graz- 
ing country, with scant growth of grass. 

Washington. 

The state of Washington is divided into three divisions by 
mountain ranges. The first section lies between the coast and 
the Olympic Mountains and is rough and rugged. The second 
lies between the Olympic and the Cascade Ranges and includes 
the Puget Sound region and a strip of country extending south 
to the Columbia River. The third extends from the Cascades 
east and includes the Okanogan Highlands, Columbia River 
Plains and the Blue Mountain District and is commonly known 
as the Inland Empire. 

From the soils standpoint the state is divided in four prov- 
inces. The Western Mountain Region Province includes the 
Olympic and Cascade Ranges, the mountainous regions in the 
northern and northeastern part of the state and a small region 



218 llinls to Ilomeseekers 

in the southeastern portion. This region is extremely rough 
and mountainous and has little agricultural value. It furnishes 
grazing land and is of use for forestry purposes. A large 
amount of good timber is still found in this province. 

The region immediately around Puget Sound is within the 
Glacial Province and the soils are more variable than in other 
sections of the state. It is of comparatively small extent, though 
important for the amount of development which has taken place. 

The Pacific Coast Province includes the region immediately 
south of Puget Sound and includes the inter mountain section 
extending southward into Oregon. This is also an important 
section of the state. 

The Northwestern Intermountain Region includes the central, 
eastern and southeastern portions of the state and embraces a 
broad stretch of country in which the vast agricultural resources 
are only partially developed. 

The rainfall is extremely variable in different sections of the 
state and ranges from between sixty to eighty inches along the 
coast to less than ten inches east of the Cascade Range. East 
of the Cascades irrigation or dry farming methods are neces- 
sary if the best results are to be obtained with cultivated crops. 
Under irrigation wonderful results have been obtained with 
fruit and also general farm and garden crops, while dry farm- 
ing methods produce excellent returns where irrigation is not 
possible. The Columbia and Snake Rivers and smaller streams 
furnish a large supply of water for irrigation purposes. 

West of the Cascade Range the rainfall is abundant and irri- 
gation is not necessary. 

There are four types of farming followed in the state, though 
they are not distinctly separated on many of the farms. Gen- 
eral farming and the raising of small grains is probably the most 
extensive type of farming. Grazing and the raising of horses, 
cattle and sheep has long been an important industry and graz- 
ing will continue to be important in regions where the land is 
too rough to be irrigated and where dry farming cannot be sue- 



Agricultural Opportunities 219 

cessfully carried on. The fruit industry probably attracts more 
attention than any other line of farming in Washington and it 
is developed on a commercial scale in a number of localities. 
The income from the orchards is extremely large and the acre- 
age is constantly being increased. The hop growing industry 
is still important, though not as extensive as formerly. 

Land values are extremely high in most sections of the state 
and it seems that future possibilities have been capitalized to 
a very great extent. Along the coast where the rainfall is 
heavy and the natural growth is dense, the cost of clearing land 
is very high. The soils in the irrigated and unirrigated regions 
are naturally very productive and large and profitable yields 
are secured. 

Taken altogether Washington offers many very good oppor- 
tunities along the line of agricultural development. Mining 
and lumbering are also important industries. 

Oregon. 

Agricultural operations in Oregon are largely controlled by 
the amount and distribution of the rainfall. The precipitation 
is extremely variable in different portions of the state and ranges 
from over eighty inches along the coast to less than ten inches 
in the north-central portion of the state. Irrigation is prac- 
ticed in some portions of the state but the total acreage under 
the ditch is still comparatively small. 

The soils of the state fall naturally into four more or less dis- 
tinct provinces. The Western Mountain Regions Province in- 
cludes the greater part of the western one-third of the state, with 
the exception of a quite extensive inter-mountain area extending 
south from Portland to some distance south of Roseberg. There 
is an area of this province in the northeastern corner of the 
state and several in the east-central portion. All of this prov- 
ince is rough and mountainous, and while there are numerous- 
valleys and some benches where farming operations are carried 
on, the major portion of the region is not well suited to agri- 



220 Hints to Homeseekers 

culture. There is considerable grazing land, some fruit land 
and much steep and rocky land. The rainfall on this province 
in the west is abundant but in the eastern portion it is not suf- 
ficient in all cases for farm crops, so that even where soil con- 
ditions are favorable the moisture supply may be too limited to 
permit successful farming. 

The Pacific Coast Province occupies the inter-mountain region 
south of Portland and includes the valley of the Willamette 
River. In this province agriculture is well developed and there 
are many highly improved extensive tracts of land. The rain- 
fall is from thirty to sixty inches or over per year and farming 
operations are carried on without the needs of irrigation. The 
soil in general is of the heavier textures and naturally produc- 
tive. Fruit raising and general farming are the leading types 
of agriculture. The farms on the average are small and methods 
intensive. 

The Northwestern Inter-mountain Regions Province is the 
most extensive in the state and includes most of the central, 
north-central, and eastern portions. The rainfall here varies 
from less than ten inches to slightly over twenty inches on some 
of the higher elevations. The region as a whole is but slightly 
developed, though there are a number of localities in which agri- 
culture is highly improved. Along some of the valleys tributary 
to the Columbia River in this province and also in the Western 
Mountain Region Province the fruit industry is very important. 
Irrigation is practiced quite extensively and dry farming 
methods are carried on to a considerable extent. Grain raising 
is an important industry and ranching is also carried on to a 
considerable extent. There are very extensive tracts of land 
which would be excellent for general farming and for special 
lines of agriculture if a supply of water were available for irri- 
gation. There are also tracts which can be irrigated from 
streams nearby and which are still undeveloped. There are 
numerous opportunities along the line of irrigation farming 



Agricultural Opportunities 221 

throug^hoiit this region and dry farming could also be extended 
where water is not available and where the rainfall is fifteen 
inches or over. Much of the country is level to gently rolling 
and rolling and farm operations can be readily carried on on a 
large scale. 

The Great Basin Province is confined to the south central and 
southwestern portion of the state and is also but slightly devel- 
oped. The rainfall is from ten to fifteen inches per year and 
there is but little water available for irrigation. For this rea- 
son it has remained chiefly a stock country, with a small amount 
of dry farming carried on. 

Oregon, especially the western portion, is favored by a mild 
climate and a long growing season, as is the case in "Washington, 
owing to the modifying influence of the Japan current. This 
permits the development of the fruit industry and the growing 
of numerous tender crops which could not be raised in the same 
latitude further east. 

Wherever agriculture is highly developed, as about the fruit 
centers such as Hood Kiver, values are very high. Away from 
these centers there are tracts of good land which can be bought 
at reasonable prices. The state as a whole still has much good 
land which is not improved and there are many opportunities 
worth investigating. 



222 



Hints to Homeseekers 



(Jl/IFORTVIA" 




Map 29. — Soil and Agricultural Map of CaUfopiia. 



Agricultural Opportunities 223 



Map^ Legend. 

Temperature ZoneSf Rainfall, and Topographical Divisions. 

A. Mean annual temperature, thirty to forty-four degrees. 
Rainfall, thirty to seventy inches. Highest portions of state 
rough and mountainous. 

B. Mean annual temperature, forty-four to fifty-two degrees. 
Rainfall, twenty to seventy inches. Mostly foot-hills, with some 
mountainous regions. 

C. Mean annual temperature, fifty-two to sixty degrees. 
Rainfall, ten to twenty inches along south coast, increasing to 
sixty to eighty inches along north coast. On table lands usu- 
ally less than fifteen inches. Coast country and tablelands. 
Very equable climate. Irrigation necessary where rainfall is 
limited. 

D. Mean annual temperature, sixty to sixty-eight degrees, 
same as prevails in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Rain- 
fall, ten to twenty inches. Much valley land highly improved. 
Some coast country. Much land irrigated. 

E. Mean annual temperature, sixty-eight to seventy-two de- 
grees. Very high afternoon temperatures during summer 
months. Large part of year temperatures moderate. Very dry, 
arid region. Irrigation necessary. Rainfall less than ten inches. 

F. Mean annual temperature, forty-four to sixty degrees. 
Rainfall less than twenty inches. Highly elevated plateaus. 
Some irrigation practiced. 

California. 

Cailifornia is attracting wide-spread attention. Few sections 
of the country have so attractive a country life, and few have 
promise of a greater future or offer better returns for invest- 
ment in farm lands. The subdivision and placing under irriga- 
tion of many of the large ranches has changed the entire agri- 



224 Hints to Homeseekers 

cultural industry. Where before stretched untold acres belong- 
ing to one estate, there are now hundreds of twenty and forty 
acre farm homes well kept, carefully cultivated and yielding a 
good living. Instead of the big ranch with its hundreds of 
hands we now have the small intensively cultivated irrigated 
farm, where the owner can personally attend every tree and 
vine and get the highest possible production. 

There are two great mountain ranges running north and 
south through the state, the Sierra Nevada, with the Great 
Yosemite National Park and Lake Tohoe, and the Coast Range, 
and an arm thrust across from east to west, called the Teha- 
chapi. About one-fifth of the state lies below this barrier. At 
the north, Mt. Shasta unites the two principal ranges. There 
are a few overlapping spurs, and the Coast Range is some- 
what broken, and in places doubled, with small valleys be- 
tween, and there is much agricultural land between the ocean 
and the coast mountains, but the Great Central Valley holds 
the bulk of the farming land. It is called by two names, the 
Sacramento and the San Joaquin, after the two rivers which 
drain it from opposite ends. 

Below the Tehachapi Mountains lies Southern California. 
The coast swings sharply eastward at Point Conception; the 
Coast Range breaks down in places and disappears, and the 
whole interior is more open to the sea. For 150 miles an ex- 
tensive plain faces the Pacific. It runs back from fifteen to 
fifty miles and gradually merges into the foothills or rolling 
country. The Sierra Madre and the San Bernardino Moun- 
tains take the place of the Sierra Nevada. 

California is probably the most wonderful state in the Union 
with regard to temperature. It is not so much that extreme 
heat and extreme cold occur at times, as it is that within short 
distances one can find climates that are very different. Thus 
it might almost be called an adjustable climate. The map 
brings out not only mean temperature conditions, but the dif- 
ferent kinds of climate which may be said to prevail in Cali- 



Agricultural Opportunities 225 

fornia. Thus the area marked D shows that the mean of all 
temperatures recorded during the year in that area ranges 
from sixty to sixty-eight degrees. In other words, this is the 
same mean temperature as prevails in Georgia, Alabama, Mis- 
sissippi and most of Texas ; but this does not mean that from 
day to day, or from month to month, the temperature does not 
go higher or lower, because as a matter of fact, the normal 
temperatures for summer in this section exceeds eighty de- 
grees, and in winter average forty degrees. What the map 
does show is that this great inland valley, the combined Sacra- 
mento and San Joaquin, has a climate different from that pre- 
vailing in the foothills, and this in turn diifers from the climate 
of the mountains, which again differs from the climate of the 
high Sierra or the Siskiyou, or the higher peaks of the Coast 
Range, Nor does the fact that unusually high temperatures 
occur in some portions of the state necessarily mean that these 
temperatures are comparable with the same figures elsewhere 
in the United States. 

In some portions of California, especially that section shown 
on the map by E sixty-eight to seventy-two degrees, very high 
summer afternoon temperatures occur, in fact, exceeding those 
reported anywhere else in the United States. Yet it is per- 
fectly true that the air is at such times very dry and there is 
less physical inconvenience and suffering than would prevail 
if there was a high degree of humidity. In brief, readings of 
the thermometer which would be intolerable elsewhere, are 
tolerable, though not pleasant, in these sections of the arid 
west. During a large portion of the year temperatures are 
moderate and the weather as a whole delightful. 

Again, with respect to the coast climate, where the average 
temperature is about fifty-six degrees, there are few very hot 
or very cold days. It is the most equable climate of the United 
States in the matter of temperature. Yet temperature alone 
does not tell the whole story. For many people this climate, 
despite its equability, is over-stimulating and too rigorous. 
15 



226 Hints to Homeseekers 

To people in good health, however, the climate is bracing, and 
means a working efficiency of a full day for every day in the 
year. But over and above all, the charm of California's cli- 
mate is that within a short distance, often not so much as ten 
miles, one can find the climate best adapted to his needs. 

The map is valuable because it shows at a glance the climate 
of the great natural divisions of the state. The terms "north- 
ern" and "southern" have little, if any, horticultural signifi- 
cance in California. Citrus fruits flourish in the Great Valley 
and in the foothills equally well as in the great orange belt 
south of the Tehachapi. Deciduous fruits are grown both in 
the north and in the south. Valley climate is adaptable in 
many ways as the choicest foothill climate. Naturally the 
great industries seek the lower levels and localities approxi- 
mate to railroads and seaports, but the hills and uplands, 
while as yet for the most part undeveloped and sparsely popu- 
lated, have great possibilities, and in the matter of climate 
have many advantages over the lowlands. 

As for the mountains, they are at once the glory and the 
strength of California. Although represented on the map with 
the area of temperature "A," ranging from thirty to forty 
degrees, the normal winter temperature is about the same as 
that of Virginia, Kentucky, or Missouri, and far below the 
normal surface temperatures occurring in midwinter in most 
of the northern states. 

Naturally with such a diversity of climate, there is a great 
diversity of human interests. Farming is easily the leading 
industry. Barley, wheat, oats, corn, rye and other grains ; hay, 
alfalfa, potatoes, beans, hops, beets, field and garden seeds are 
raised easily and with profit by the farmers. Fruits grown in 
California are famous the world over. Oranges, grapes, 
raisins, peaches, pears, plums, apricots, olives, and nuts yield 
revenue exceeding in the grand total all other field products. 

California off*ers a very attractive farming region. This 
comes from the wonderful climate and the fertility of the soil. 



Agricultural Opportunities 227 

Few regions produce so great a variety of crops. The products 
of New England, of the middle west, of much of the south, of 
Italy, Spain, Persia, Greece, and Sicily are grown here, and 
he is a poor farmer who cannot, when the growing season al- 
most corresponds with the months of the year, find a crop 
which he can produce successfully and make pay. 

California is also a land rich in mineral wealth and in for- 
ests; but when all is said and done, California's greatest asset 
is her climate. 



228 



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CHAPTER VII. 



WESTERN CANADA.' 



Canada spreads over more than half the map of North Amer- 
ica. It is considerably larger than the United States, with 
Alaska added. Politically, Canada consists of nine full-fledged 
provinces (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, 
Quebec, Ontario, IManitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British 
Columbia), and to the north of these a northern Canada con- 
sisting of the Yukon west of the Rocky Mountains, and the 
Northwest Territory east. 

It is, however, with the three prairie provinces of Manitoba, 
Saskatchewan, and Alberta and the Pacific province of British 
Columbia, that this geographical sketch will deal. 

Five times bigger than Great Britain and Ireland, and three 
times the size of the German Empire, prairie Canada constitutes 
the world's greatest wheat farm, a plain 1,000 miles long and of 
undetermined width. This fertile prairie is watered by three 
giant river systems. The Assiniboine and the Red drain Mani- 
toba; the great Saskatchewan waters central and southern Al- 
berta and the province of Saskatchewan; while the Peace, the 
mighty Athaba.ska, and the Slave Rivers are nature's highways 
through northern Alberta. Canada's river ways and lakes make 
of this last best west one vast network of sunny slopes and fer- 
tile valleys. More than farms are making on these prairies. 
Here, on a wheat plain wider than that of Russia, richer than 
those of Egypt, India, or the Argentine, out of strangely diverse 
elements a new nation is arising. The map of today shows us a 



* The material forming the chapter on Western Canada has been taken 
largely from reports issued under the direction of the Minister of the 
Interior, Ottawa, Canada. The figures given are from the most recent 
statistics and other official reports and are as nearly correct as it is 
possible to obtain. 



Agricultural Opportunities 231 

wide wheat plain dotted by the people of the earth, with an 
ever-lessening uusurveyed region. Year by year, these maps 
change their complexion, and the ''edge of cultivation, " with 
the advance of colonization, having entered the Rockies in its 
western advance, now moves steadily northward. 

The St. Lawrence basin of eastern Canada was at first consid- 
ered frost-bound and sterile, the Fraser lands of British Colum- 
bia rocky and inaccessible, and the valleys of the Red and the 
Saskatchewan too far north to support a white population. Now 
all these basins are occupied, and the sons of the men who saw 
these lands developed, are in turn laying strong hands upon 
the basins of the Peace, the Mackenzie, and the Athabaska, and 
platting townships in the latitude of fifty-eight degrees. 

Canada is a country with a meagre past, a solid present, and 
an illimitable future. The railways of western Canada gridiron 
a prairie land of 200 million fertile acres, only a fraction of 
which is cultivated, yet this produced in 1910 — a bad year 
throughout the American continent — approximately 258,000,000 
bushels of wheat, oats, barlej'', and flax, of which 105,000,000 
bushels was wheat. 

CLIMATE OP CENTRAL CANADA. 

The first enquiry of the would-be settler is, "But what about 
your terrible weather?" Many writers on Canada taboo the 
weather, but this subject, like most, is best attacked from the 
front. Western Canada has a cold winter, and people seeking 
tropical climate should not come here. It is the fervid sunshine 
of summer, followed by the cold, clear winter, which combine to 
give to Canada's No. 1 Avheat its peculiar value over all other 
wheats in the world. This invigorating climate of western 
Canada does more than this — it helps to breed a hardy race. 
The law of growth — running through both animal and vegetable 
realms — is that plants and animals alike attain their fullest de- 
velopment in the most northern range of their habitat. The 
same rule applies to man. History and geography both show that 



232 Ilints to Homeseekers 

all the worth-while accomplishments of the world have been 
done by those living in the temperate zones, more especially in 
the north temperate zone. Western Canada lies in the same 
latitude as Central Europe, the home of the world's hardiest 
and most progressive peoples. Clearly Mother Nature intended 
the wheat plains of Western Canada to be the cradle of a strong, 
new race. While it is true that the Prairie Belt of Canada is 
no country for either mental or physical weaklings, that the man 
who succeeds here, like the man who succeeds elsewhere, must 
be brave and a worker, still it is strikingly true that the climate 
of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta is one of the most 
healthful and stimulating in the whole world. 

Farmers, though, are more interested in summer crops than 
winter temperature. If they get the fervid sunshine at the ma- 
turing time, the winter frosts need not worry them. The long 
hours of intense sunshine on the prairies are a revelation to new- 
comers. One may read in June till 9 :30 p. m. in the open air in 
a most marvelous twilight, and by 3 :00 o 'clock in the morning 
the sun is again well on his rounds. 

To the superficial observer, latitude has always been a bug- 
bear when Canada is under consideration. Let us look at a few 
facts. Edmonton is 1,000 miles northwest of Winnipeg, and St. 
Paul, in Minnesota, is 500 miles south of Winnipeg, yet Edmon- 
ton's average annual temperature is as high as that of St. Paul. 
Manitoba has a similar climate to that of northern Michigan. 
The mean temperature in Winnipeg for July is sixty-six degrees, 
which is warmer than the July weather in any part of England. 
Flower growth in the valley of the Mackenzie is almost coinci- 
dent in time vnth the flower growth in the valley of the Missis- 
sippi. Wild flax grows within the Arctic circle, and there are 
wheat fields and flourmills at Vermilion-on-the-Peace in latitude 
58° 30'. 

The warm chinook winds sweeping down through the passes 
of the Kockies over the farms of Central Canada melt the snow 
and mellow the soil. These are facts; and it is conditions, not 
theories, that the farmer must face. 



Agricultural Opportunities 233 

VARIETY OF RESOURCES. 

The industrial future of Prairie Canada is based upon a won- 
derful variety of natural resources. Attention has been ehi-efly 
directed to the opportunity in wheat, but in a plain which 
stretches 1,000 miles one way and over 600 miles another, induce- 
ments of diverse character offer. The surface of the country 
consists of a series of terraced plains running northwest and 
southeast parallel to the Rockies. Western Alberta extends to 
and beyond the foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains, with eleva- 
tions as high a,s 4,000 feet above sea level. Passing east from 
here the foot-hills give way to a great prairie steppe embracing 
about three-fourths of Alberta. The average elevation of this 
section is 2,000 feet above sea level. The next great elevated 
plain, with a mean height of 1,000 feet, broadly speaking, in- 
cludes the whole province of Saskatchewan. And the major 
part of Manitoba attains an elevation of between 500 and 1,000 
feet. 

The resources of these three provinces make possible success- 
ful farming of every description. ''Extensive" farming, that is, 
grazing and grain growing, has blazed the way on the prairies. 
Now, mixed, or ''intensive," farming is treading close on the 
heels of the wheat grower. 

Comparisons are sometimes illuminating. In Canada, a popu- 
lation less than that of greater London, in addition to one al- 
ready completed, is now throwing two additional great world 
highways across a region which, twenty-five years ago, was stig- 
matized as an unproductive desert. The Wall Street Journal 
declares that within five years the Canadian Northern and Cana- 
dian Pacific, alone, will haul more wheat to the seaboard than 
all the railways of the United States combined. Lord Strath- 
cona says: "At the end of the twentieth century Canada will 
have a population twice as large as that of the British Isles. ' ' 

Population. — The people are coming in. The population of 
the three prairie provinces grew from 400,000 in 1901, to about 
a million and a quarter in 1910. It is no country for drones. 



234 Hints to Homeseekers 

The man who does not work in Canada, whether he be a rich 
man or a poor man, is looked upon with suspicion by the rest. 

Forest Reserves and Tree Culture. — Numerous forest reserves 
have been established throughout the western provinces. These 
serve a double purpose : They protect the sources of the princi- 
pal rivers and streams and provide for a timber supply for 
future years. 

Not so long ago, the people of Central Canada were told they 
could grow no trees except the Manitoba maple, the poplar, and 
the birch. Broadway, in Winnipeg, is one of the most beautiful 
streets in the world, and the elms have made it so. The foliage 
has become so thick that the trees will have to be thinned out. 
Of all the elms planted in Winnipeg not one per cent has died. 
In several western towns there are splendid avenues of trees, of 
a few years' growth. 

The Dominion Government has for some years actively en- 
couraged tree culture by individual farmers in the Prairie Dis- 
tricts. It not only provides free seeds but also provides for 
supervision of the planting and for inspection of the plantation 
from time to time by experts. Up to the present (1910) sixteen 
and one-half million trees have been planted under this govern- 
ment scheme. 

Water. — There are very few districts where water cannot be 
readily secured. In some cases the provincial governments sup- 
ply machinery for sinking test wells. Artesian wells, with a 
never-failing supply, have solved the water question in some 
parts. Then again, there is the river and lake system of the 
country. In selecting land, some prefer lands having dips or 
depressions, which not only supply water, but also ensure suf- 
ficient native hay for horses, cattle, and sheep that may require 
"housing" during a part of the winter. 

Value of Farm Lands Increasing. — The crops of the last seven 
years and the impetus given thereby to immigration have been 
prime factors in promoting an upward trend of values. The 
prices asked at present for good agricultural land are not high. 



Agncultural Opportunities 235 

Those competent to judge say that the crops of Western Canada 
will make farming on land worth $100 per acre profitable. Thus 
it will be seen that the value attached to property at present is re- 
markably low considering the productive capacity of the soil. In 
1901 lands were for sale by the different railway companies at 
prices averaging from $3 to $4 per acre, and now they range 
from $10 to $15 per acre and upwards. Prices in 1915 may be 
advanced as much beyond present values as those quoted are in 
excess of the figures of seven or eight years ago. 

The person desirous of buying should investigate thoroughly. 
There is so much good land for sale, and so many good companies 
through whom to do business, that no one need be duped in a 
transaction of this nature. The land departments of the differ- 
ent railways having lands for sale supply prices and terms to 
prospective purchasers. 

Not Grain Alone. — The wonderful production of grain — wheat, 
oats, barley, flax, and rye — in Central Canada has aroused the 
attention of the world, and throughout the United States the in- 
terest has grown so that 125,000 Americans took up their resi- 
dence in Canada during the year 1910. But grain has not been 
the only source of revenue for the prairie farmers. It is calcu- 
lated that in 1910 the farmer's revenue was increased by twenty- 
two miiHion dollars by sales of potatoes, turnips, and other roots, 
hay, cattle, hogs, sheep, dairy products, and poultry. 

Is Central Canada Beliahle in Its Production? — Experience is 
the best guide, and the thousands of farmers who are becoming 
well off in the Canadian West and who are sending for their 
friends and relative to come to share the West 's prosperity, offer 
the best answer to the question. But there are figures which 
demonstrate the matter very effectually. They are the figures 
regarding the actual quantities of grain shipped via the various 
railways and inspected by government officers, in connection 
with the shipping. The farmer has to retain large quantities of 
grain for seed and feed and other purposes, but he ships out his 
surplus, and the surplus it is that brings him in the cash. There 



236 Hints to Eomeseekers 

is no guessing or estimating in regard to the quantity of grain 
shipped and inspected, and while one year may be better than 
another the reliability of the soil in the matter of productivity 
is shown by the steadil}^ growing figures of grain inspections. 
The following are the official figures (in bushels) in regard to 
grain inspected at "Winnipeg and other prairie points during a 
period of years : 

1905 1906 1907 190S 1909 1910 

Wheat .. 39,786,600 64,619,100 73,140,920 53,389,350 74,055,450 94,922,385 

Oats 2,736,000 8,652,000 14,935,500 16,761,600 21,996,009 34,944,800 

Barley .. 486,000 1,628,400 2,715,600 2,635,200 3,579,600 4,663,200 

Flax 288,000 503,000 908,000 1,617,000 2,208,000 3,571,000 

Rye 9,600 26,400 10,800 20,400 22,800 

Speltz 2,000 1,200 1,200 



Total.. 43,280,600 75,412,100 91,727,620 74,415,150 101,859,450 138,064,185 

MANITOBA. 

Manitoba, the most easterly of the three Central Provinces, 
lies in the center of the North American continent and midway 
between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, its southern boundary 
running down to the forty-ninth parallel, which separates it 
from the United States. Manitoba is one-fourth larger than 
Germany, its area covering 252,000 square miles, or about 161 
miUion acres. If a family of five were to be placed on every 
half-section of the surveyed land in ]\Ianitoba, over 600,000 .souls 
would be actually living on the land. 

Education. — The value placed by Manitobans on popular edu- 
cation is evidenced in the fact that the expenditure on schools is 
the largest drain on the public funds. All schools below the 
grade of high schools are free to children between the ages of 
five and fifteen years, and high schools in all the cities and larger 
towns are free to resident pupils. Winnipeg and Brandon main- 
tain colleges of a very high standard, and children of all classes 
attend them. Two sections of and in each township are set apart, 
the income from the sales of which is applied to the support of 
free schools. This also applies to Saskatchewan and Alberta. 



Agricultural Opportunities 237 

An experimental farm at Brandon educates the farming popu- 
lation, and authentic records of the results of practical work in 
agricultural experiment are furnished to farmers free. Dairy 
schools, farmers' institutes, live-stock associations, and other 
agricultural organizations are well established. 

Rivers and Lakes. — The province is served by the natural 
drainage system making into Hudson Bay by way of Lake Win- 
nipeg. The rivers run from the eastern and western sides to 
the lower lands in the center, and practically all of the drainage 
of the province reaches the sea by the rivers making out of the 
natural reservoir of Lake Winnipeg. The chief rivers are the 
Red, Assiniboine, Winnipeg, and Pembina, all of which have 
important tributaries, except the Winnipeg. The rivers are not 
rapid, but there is force enough in the Winnipeg to supply elec- 
tric power for tramways and industrial purposes for many cities 
as large as Winnipeg. 

Telephones. — The government of Manitoba owns and operates 
the telephone system of the province. There are now over 5,000 
miles of long distance lines, and about 9,000 rural subscribers. 

Forest Wealth. — For those who love timber-covered areas, 
Manitoba can point to a strip along its east boundary, approxi- 
mately eighty miles wide, of spruce, birch, and tamarack, which 
extends into the extreme east of the province from the wooded 
lands of New Ontario. Large sawmills are established. In 
Western Manitoba are forest areas, and timbered districts exist 
on the Turtle Mountains and the Brandon Hills. The true for- 
est persists in Northwestern Manitoba as far as the Duck Moun- 
tains. From all these points quantities of lumber, fence posts, 
and firewood are sent to the prairie settlers, and the rivers and 
lakes are skirted by a plentiful tree growth. 

Soil and Surface. — The surface of Manitoba is not a flat, bare 
stretch, a "bald-headed prairie." A large part of the land, es- 
pecially in the south, is flat, being, geologists say, the bed of a 
wide, prehistoric lake. But even in the southwest the land rises 
into wooded hills, and in the southeast, close to the Lake-of- 



238 Hints to Homeseekers 

the-Woods country, there is a genuine forest. Down through 
the heart of the province stretch two great lake chains, Lake 
"Winnipeg and Lakes Winnipegosis and Manitoba. These re- 
ceive as tribute the waters of the Saskatchewan and Assiniboine 
west, and discharge through the Nelson River to Hudson Bay. 
Sloping to the west from the Lake Manitoba plain is a range of 
hills known as the Duck Mountains, Riding Mountains, and the 
Porcupine Hills. These hills are modest in their height, have a 
gentle slope, and in no way interfere with the fact that almost 
the whole land surface of Manitoba west of its great lakes is 
ready for cultivation. Manitoba soil is a deep rich loam, inex- 
haustible in its productiveness; it is essentially agricultural. 
There are twenty-five and one-half million acres of land sur- 
veyed, about one-fourth of which was under crop in 1911. 

Railroads. — The growing and marketing of grain are the chief 
industries of INIanitoba, and the extension of the railways goes 
hand in hand with the development of the land. The railway 
mileage of the province is 3,796, and few farmers are more than 
eight or ten mi^es from a railw^ay. 

Game and Fish. — In 1911, Manitoba's fishery output repre- 
sented a value of over one million dollars, mosit of this being 
realized from the lucrative whitefish. Wild ducks, geese, and 
swans haunt the lakes and rivers, while on the prairies are flocks 
of prairie chickens. On the hills and in the woodland moose and 
deer abound, and there are wolf, bear, lynx, fox, marten, beaver, 
and other fur-bearing animals. 

Avo/ilahle Homesteads. — Manitoba has one and one-half million 
acres of land available for free homesteading, located east of the 
Red River, and between Lakes Winnipeg and IManitoba, where 
railways are now building, also west of Lake IManitoba and in 
the newly opened districts along the line of the Canadian North- 
ern railway. To those who appreciate the picturesque advantage 
of tree growth, these districts make strong appeal. If the timber 
is a light scrub, it is easily removed; if, on the other hand, the 
forest is heavy, it richly repays the cost of clearing. Creeks, 



Agricultural Opportunities 239 

lakes, and rivers abound, while water for domestic purposes can 
generally be secured by sinking wells to a moderate depth. It 
is easy to realize that Manitoba lands as they produce their crops 
from year to year are steadily advancing in value ; while the 
interest accrues regularly, the principal is also increasing. 

Dairying. — The dairy produce (butter) for 1911 was valued 
at one and three-quarters million dollars; the cheese output was 
about $72,000 — showing that dairying is a very important indus- 
try; good prices are obtained; the quality is excellent in colour 
and flavour. Abundant grasses are rich in the fattening prop- 
erties essential to raising cattle and producing butter and cheese. 
Government dairy schools promote these industries. 

Mixed Farming General. — Grain growing has given Manitoba 
agricultural pre-eminence in the eyes of the world, but the leaven 
of mixed farming is gradually and surely permeating the minds 
of farmers ; there is scarcely one but has his herd of cattle or his 
flock of sheep. His hogs are fattening for market, and poultry 
proves valuable a,s a source of revenue. Prices of these may 
fluctuate, but never can a farmer become overstocked with any 
one or more of them. 

Manitoba's surplus product of wheat over and above her home 
consumption is largely sent to Eastern Canada and to Europe. 
In addition to wheat, great crops of rye, flax, hay, peas, and po- 
tatoes are produced, and also garden truck. 

BxLsinesslike Farming. — Nowhere on the continent, more than 
in Manitoba, has farming advanced to the dignity of a thor- 
oughly businesslike occupation. Here the farmer works, not 
merely for a living, but, rather, for a handsome profit. Instances 
are frequent where large areas under wheat have given a clear 
profit of over $12 an acre. All the labour of ploughing, seeding, 
harvesting, and marketing can be hired done at about $7.50 per 
acre. Even allowing $8, it is a poor year that will not yield a 
handsome margin over this. 

Winnipeg. — Winnipeg is a remarkable city. In 1870, it was 
a frontier trading post of the Hudson Bay Company with a total 



240 111)1 Is lo //(/mcscekers 

population of 215 souls. The civic official census gives a popula- 
tion for 1911 of over 172,000. The reason for this wonderful ad- 
vancement is readily found in the harvests of wheat ripening on 
the rich prairie lands tributary to this "Buckle of the "Wheat 
Belt. " The wide boulcvarded streets, substantial bank buildings, 
crowded railroad depots, all tell insistently the same story of 
prosperity. The city owns its public parks, quarries, water- 
works, street lighting systems, and asphalt plant. The total 
bank clearings for the year 1911, amounting to $1,172,962,144, 
raised Winnipeg to the billion dollar class of cities. The year 
1911 showed an increase of 219 million dollars over 1910, plac- 
ing the city at the head of all financial centers on the continent, 
in increased percentage of clearings over 1910. There are 115 
churches and forty schools, four live daily newspapers, with 
forty weekly and monthly publications. The building records 
for the city for the seven years ending December, 1911, show 
that seventy-seven million dollars were spent during that period. 
In 1911 the new buildings constructed were valued at seventeen 
and one-qunrter million dollars. The factories employ 15,000 
hands, with an output exceeding nearly thirty-six million dol- 
lars. Twenty-two railway tracks radiate from the city. Winni- 
peg leads the world as a grain center. The wheat receipts for 
1911 were 101,326,250 bushels; Minneapolis 98,647,850; Chicago. 
42,629,751. Oat receipts, Winnipeg, 26,128,800; Minneapolis, 
11,400,000. 

St. Boniface, the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of 
St. Boniface, adjoins and is partly surrounded by the business 
section of the city of AVinnipeg, estimated population, 13,000. 

Brandon. — Brandon, the second city in the province, is situ- 
ated at the junction of the Assiniboine with the Little Saskatche- 
wan, on the main line of the Canadian Pacific railway, ,some 130 
miles west of AVinnipeg. Seven branch railways make in here. 
Grain elevators, flour mills, and machine shops, together with 
the wholesale houses and rovirtoeu bi-nnch banks, show the solid 
nature of the business of this citv. Brandon is an educational 



Agricultural Opportunities 241 

center with a college and high school of which a city ten times 
its size might well be proud. On the outskirts of the city is the 
Dominion Experimental Farm, a valuable institution admirably 
run. Population, 14,000. 

Portage la Prairie. — Portage la Prairie, population 6,000, en- 
joys splendid railway facilities. Several industries are established 
here. It owns a beautiful park, has a fine educational system, 
including a collegiate institute, and supports many churches and 
fraternal societies. Portage Plains have been cropped for thirty 
consecutive years without a failure. 

Selkirlc is a distributing point of supplies for points on the 
shores of Lake Winnipeg. 

Carherry and Morden are flourishing railway towns in the heart 
of the fine wheat-growing sections. ]\linnedosa, Neepawa, Dau- 
phin, Carman, Virden, and Souris also are centers of notable 
grain-growing districts, and important railroad towns. 

Scores of towns now developing afford openings for those de- 
siring business opportunities, each Avith its mills and warehouses 
for wheat. Among these centres may be named Manitou, Birtle, 
Emerson, Gretna, Wawanesa, Somerset, Baldur, Deloraine, Me- 
lita. Rapid City, Hamiota, Gladstone, Killamey, Hartney, Stone- 
wall, Boissevain, Elkhorn, Gilbert Plains, Pilot Mound, Winkler 
and Plum Coulee. 

Important Facts. — In 1911 the estimated amount spent on farm 
buildings was three and one-half million dollars as compared 
with two and one-half million dollars the previous year. There 
are 3,193 threshing outfits in the province. Potatoes last year 
averaged 187 bushels to the acre. 

GROWTH OF MANITOBA. 

1891 190S 1909 1911 

Population 152,506 455,614 

Horses 86,735 230,926 237,161 232,725 

Milch cows 82,710 173,546 167,442 146,841 

Other horned cattle 147,984 357,988 333,752 397,261 

Sheep 35,838 29,265 29,074 32,223 

Hogs 54,177 192,489 172,374 176,212 

Cultivated farms 45,380 

Increase in population in ten years was 78.52 per cent. 
18 



242 Hints to Homeseekers 

The following tables give the acreage, average, and total yield 
of wheat, oats, barley, and flax for the last five years. 

WHEAT OATS 

Average Total Average Total 

Year Acreage Yield Yield Acreage Yield Yield 

1907 2,789,553 14.22 39,688,266.6 1.213,596 34.8 42,140,744 

1908 2,850,640 17.23 49,252,539 1,216,632 36.8 44,686,043 

1909 2,642,111 17.33 45,774,707.7 1,373,683 37.1 50,983,056 

1910 2,962,187 13.475 39,916,391.7 1,486,436 28.7 42,647,766 

1911 3,350,000 18.29 61,058.786 1,625,000 45.3 73,786,683 

BARLEY FLAX 

Average Total Average Total 

Average Yield Yield Acreage Yield Yielu 

1907 649,570 25.7 16,752,724.3 25,915 12.25 317,347 

1908 658,441 27.54 18,135,757 50,187 11.18 502,206 

1909 601,008 27.31 16,416,634 20,635 12.26 253,636 

1910 624,644 20.75 12.960.038.7 41,002 9.97 410,928 

1911 760,000 31.5 21,000,000 86,000 14. 1,205,727 

The Harvest of 1911. — With spring opening early, seeding 
was completed under the most favorable conditions, and the 
weather, right up to the time of harvesting, was all that could be 
wished for with the exception of a slight drought, which was 
more felt along the international boundary line ; a spell of wet 
weather then set in, greatly retarding threshing; nevertheless, 
the harvest was exceedingly bountiful. 

While some of the wheat was slightly off color, on the whole 
both quantity and quality were good, and showed an average 
yield of 18.29, and a total yield of 61,058,786 bushels, as com- 
pared with an average of 13.47, and a total yield of 39,916,391 
bushels, in 1910. 

Oats showed a much larger increase, both in average and in 
yield ; namely, an average of 45.3 and a total yield of 73,786,683 
bushels, as compared with an average-of 28.7, and a total yield of 
42,647,766 bushels in 1910. 

Barley also increased; the average being 31.5 and the total 
yield being 29,999,239 bushels, as against an average of 20.75 
and a total yield of 12,960,038 bushels in 1910. 

Mixed Farming in the Park Region. — The district of country 
lying east and southeast of Winnipeg is being well served by 
railways, — the Canadian Pacific, Canadian Northern and Grand 



Agricultural Opportunities 243 

Trunk Pacific. The soil here is a very deep rich loam, and capa- 
ble of producing an excellent quality of small grain of all 
kinds, and the experience of tho,se who are farming there is that 
the yield is always large. There is a sufficiency of rainfall, and 
water is easy to procure. A great quantity of this land is still 
vacant, and some homesteads are available. An advantage over 
the more open prairie districts, claimed by some, is the greatest 
possibility for mixed farming and cattle raising, on account of 
the superior quality of the grasses, the shelter afforded by the 
groves of trees, and the cheapness with which buildings are con- 
structed. 

Manitoba farm lands, — raw prairie, — are selling from $12 to 
$15 an acre and upwards, while improved farms sell from $35 
to $40 an acre. 

The Swan River Valley during the past few years has been at- 
tracting the attention of an excellent class of settlers. It has 
splendid railway advantages, and there is promise of additional 
branch lines being built into the district to acconunodate the 
grain growers and cattle raisers of the district. Winter wheat 
is being grown here with great success. The country is largely 
open prairie, but in parts there is sufficient of the park-like coun- 
try to add a charm and give plenty of native hay and shelter. 
In all of the district there is a good growth of wild grasses. At 
the Dominion Fair, held at Regina in 1911, the exhibit of grains, 
grasses, clovers, fodder crops, fruit, vegetables and natural pro- 
ducts sent from Swan River Valley won third prize for all 
Canada, which speaks more than all else of the climate and na- 
ture of the soil. The settlement is mostly composed of Americans 
and people from the OM Country. There are homesteads to be 
had in the district, and other land may be purchased from rail- 
way and responsible land companies. 

When the newly acquired territory recently added to Manitoba 
is surveyed there will be opened up a wonderfully rich area, 
capable of maintaining an immense population. This added 
territory will greatly increase the area of the province, and give 



244 Hints to Homeseekers 

it a port on Hudson Bay, into which large ocean going vesseLs 
will be in a position to carry a considerable portion of the farm 
produce of the West to old country markets. 

SASKATCHEWAN. 

Saskatchewan, the middle one of the Prairie Provinces, is a 
huge rectangle extending from the forty-ninth to the sixtieth 
j)arallel, with an area as big as that of France, and twice the 
size of the British Isles. Saskatchewan has a southern base of 
390 miles bordering on the United States, and its length from 
north to south is 760 miles. The total land area of the Province 
of Saskatchewan is 155,092,480 acres. The Province may be de- 
fined as consisting to four distinct zones. These, proceeding 
from south to north are: (a) rolling prairie, (b) prairie and 
woodland, (c) forest, (d) sparsely timbered belt. Of the enor- 
mous area given above less than twelve million acres, or about 
one-thirteenth, is cultivated. Notwithstanding this fact, Saskat- 
chewan stood second among the wheat-producing States and Pro- 
vinces of this continent in 1910. It has produced 400 million 
bushels of wheat in the past twelve years. Its increase in popu- 
lation in ten years was 440 per cent. 

Fiver Ways. — The chief rivers are the North Saskatchewan, 
South Saskatchewan, Qu'Appelle, and Carrot. The North and 
South Saskatchewan both rise in the Rocky JMountains and each 
has a general easterly trend. The Red Deer flows into the South 
Saskatchewan, about 150 miles north of the United States 
boundar3\ The South Saskatchewan runs east nearly half way 
across the Province, then turns north and enters the North Sas- 
katchewan River a little east of the town of Prince Albert. The 
South Saskatchewan River, with the Qu'Appelle, intersects the 
Province from east to west. The Carrot rises south of Prince 
Albert and runs an approximate parallel line to the North Sas- 
katchewan, into which it flows near "The Pas," a Hudson Bay 
Company trading post. 

Surface and Settlement. — The first tide of homeseekers into 



Agricidtural Opportunities 245 

Saskatchewan flowed along the channel provided by the Canadian 
Pacific Railway, and each new railroad since built has been fol- 
lowed close at heel by eager, earnest land-seekers. So it is that 
one finds to-day prosperous settlements on both sides of the tracks 
of the Canadian Northern, the Canadian Pacific and the Grand 
Trunk Pacific. 

Railways. — Saskatchewan is well served by the Canadian Pa- 
cific, Canadian Northern, and Grand Trunk Pacific railways, and 
very few of the older settlements are more than ten or twenty 
miles from transportation. Into the newer sections, where home- 
steads are available, all these roads are rapidly extending their 
lines. 

Saskatchewan Crops. — Saskatchewan leads all the other pro- 
vinces in wheat production, though only a comparatively small 
portion of its cultivable area has yet been brought under the 
plough. 

In 1898 the area under wheat in Saskatchewan was 276,253 
acres; in 1905 it was 910,359 acres; in 1908 2,703,563 acres, and 
in 1911 or in three years' time, according to Dominion Govern- 
ment figures, it had nearly doubled, the area being 4,704,660 
acres. On this area there was grown approximately ninety-seven 
million bushels of wheat, or an average of twenty bushels to the 
acre. This is a fair average, in spite of the fact that this Pro- 
vince, with the rest of the West, suffered from unfavorable 
weather conditions. As it is, the farmers of Saskatchewan have 
had a very successful year, as will be seen by the following tables, 
showing a total value of 121^4 million dollars for field products 
apart from field and fodder crops. 

Roots and forage crops for 1911 are valued at twelve million 
dollars. 



246 



Hints to Homeseekers 



FIELD PRODUCTS OF SASKATCHEWAN FOR A TERM OF YEARS 





WHEAT 




c 


ATS 








Average 


Total 




Average 


Total 




Total 


Yield 


Value 


Total 


Yield 


Value 


Year 


Yield 


per Acre 


1911 


Yield 


per Acre 


1911 


1905... 


. 26,107,286 


23.09 




19,213,055 


42.70 




1906. . . 


. 37,010,098 


21.40 




23,965,528 


37.45 




1908.. . 


. 50,654,629 


13.68 




48,379,838 


27.29 




1909. . . 


. 90,277,000 


22.04 




105,465,000 


42.04 




1910. . . 


. 72,666,000 


15.58 




63,315,000 


30.40 




•1911. .. 


. 97,665,000 


20.8 


$63,000,000 


97,962,000 


46.12 


$34,250,000 




BARLEY 




FLAX 










Average 


Total 




Average 


Total 




Total 


Yield 


Value 


Total 


Yield 


Value 


Year 


Yield 


per Acre 


1911 


Yield 


per Acre 


1911 


1905. . . 


893,396 


27.11 




398,399 


15.73 




1906. . . 


. 1.316,415 


24.57 




710,698 


9.35 




1908. .. 


. 3,965,724 


17.23 




2,589,352 


9.78 




1909. .. 


. 7,833,000 


32.01 




4,448,700 


13.09 




1910.. . 


. 5,859,018 


26.01 




3,044,138 


9.66 




•1911... 


. 5,445,000 


31.61 


$3,000,000 


10,688,000 


11.25 


$21,000,000 



1906 


1909 


1911 


Value 1911 


263,713 


341,521 


492,432 




240,566 


429,766 


718,346 


$114,935,360 


112,618 


234,458 


250,600 


12,530,000 


360,236 


594,632 


565,350 


14,133,750 


121,290 


152,601 


197,826 


1,236,412 


123,916 


352,385 


352,118 


3,523,059 




$146,359,372 



* According to Dominion census figures the local government gives the 
average yield of wheat at 18.50, oats 45, barley 28, flax 11.13. 

HOW SASKATCHEWAN HAS GROWN 

1901 

Population 91,279 

Horses 83,461 

Milch Cows 56,440 

Other Horned Cattle 160,613 

Sheep 73,097 

Swine 27,753 



Dairying. — Natural conditions in certain parts of the Province 
are eminently suitable for mixed farming and dairying. Locally 
there is an excellent market for butter. j\lost of the creameries 
are under government supervision, the Minister of Agriculture, 
through the Superintendent of Dairying, supervising all business 
transactions with the exception of cream delivery. A reason- 
able estimate places the output of butter for 1911, at 1,202,801 
pounds, valued at $282,688. The output of 1910 was 861,000 
pounds, value $208,972. Adjacent districts to those in which 



Agricultural Opportunities 247 

creameries are now being operated, will, without doubt, follow 
dairying as their chief occupations; and rightly so, because of 
the favorable natural facilities which with intelligent applica- 
tion on the part of the settler makes success easily possible. The 
number of farmers supplying cream increased from 553 in 1908 
to 1,596 in 1911. 

Lumbering. — North of Prince Albert, which is the centre at 
present of the lumbering industry, and east of that city, lumber- 
ing is extensively carried on. In the northern forest the timber 
is spruce, both white and black, larch or tamarack, jack pine, 
aspen or white poplar, balsam or black poplar, and white birch. 
Prince Albert has four lumber mills. 

Education. — School districts are established by the Govern- 
ment, but maintained and managed by the resident rate-payers 
of the district. The minimum size of rural districts is limited 
to twenty-five square miles, but the majority comprise from six- 
teen to twenty. A district must have four persons actually resi- 
dent therein, who would be liable to assessment, and at least 
twelve children between the ages of five and sixteen years, in- 
clusive. The schools are sustained by provincial aid and also by 
local rates. Except in special cases where qualified teachers can- 
not be obtained, every teacher must hold a certificate of qualifica- 
tion granted by the department of education. A university, sup- 
ported and controlled by the Province, has been established at 
Saskatoon. A department of Saskatchewan's new university will 
be a college of agriculture. 

The education of the farmer is the constant concern of the local 
agricultural authorities in Canada, and nowhere does this re- 
ceive greater attention than in the newer districts. 

Government and Other TelepJiones. — The Government of the 
Province operates the telephone system. This comprised in 1911 
over 1,300 miles of long-distance lines, forty-two exchanges, and 
upwards of 5,000 subscribers. In addition, the Government pur- 
sues an active policy of stimulating the organization of local 
rural companies by giving to such companies as a bonus all the 



248 Hints to Homeseekers 

poles required for their lines. During 1911, over $60,000 worth 
of telephone poles were distributed gratis to farmers' telephone 
companies. As a result of this policy there were in existence at 
the close of 1911 seventy-one such rural companies with a total 
capitalization in excess of $250,000. These rural companies are 
connected with local exchanges and toll offices wherever possible, 
and represent 1,900 pole miles serving upwards of 2,000 farmers. 

Cities, Towns and Villages, Regina. — The capital, 360 miles 
west of Winnipeg, lies in the heart of a splendid agricultural 
district, and is a wholesale centre. It is noted for its substantial 
public buildings and paved streets, is well supplied with hotel 
accommodation and boasts a dozen banks. It has a collegiate in- 
stitute and provincial normal school. The city is the headquarters 
of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, and also of the judiciary 
of Saskatchewan; population, 30,210. The total building per- 
mits in Regina for 1911 amounted to $5,088,110, as compared 
with $2,352,228 in 1910. 

The bank clearings in 1911 amounted to $72,487,159, as com- 
pared with $14,153,244 in 1909. The Canadian Pacific, Canadian 
Northern, and Grand Trunk Pacific Railways unite to make 
Regina an important centre. 

Moose Jaw. — Forty miles west of Regina, is a Canadian Pa- 
cific Railway divisinal point, and the terminus of the Soo Line 
and of the line under construction from Moose Jaw to Lacombe 
via Outlook, with the Canadian Northern and Grand Trunk Pa- 
cific projected. It is noted for its schools and churches ; and has 
also extensive stock yards. INIoose Jaw spent $2,475,136 in build- 
ing in 1911, $500,000 in 1909. Population, 14,000. 

Saskatoon. — The seat of the University of Saskatchewan, is a 
growing city beautifully situated on the south branch of the Sas- 
katchewan. It is well served by railways, being located on the 
Canadian Northern's Regina-Prince Albert Line and on the route 
of the Canadian Pacific Line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. 
Grand Trunk Pacific trains run to what is practically the sub- 
urbs, and connection is made with Canadian Northern main-line 



Agricultural Opportunities 249 

trains at Warman, while an extensive territory to the southwest 
is served by the line that runs into that excellent farming district. 
Population, about 20,000. Building permits for 1911 amounted 
to $4,920,000 as compared with $943,000 in 1909. 

Prince Albert. — Is the northern terminus of the Canadian 
Northern, and has a delightful situation on the north branch of 
the Saskatchewan. A line of the Grand Trunk Pacific is ex- 
pected to reach there in the fall of 1912. The Canadian North- 
ern has a portion of its line to Battleford completed. It has four 
big saw-mills, is well supplied with banks, churches, schools, and 
hotels; population, 6,250; building permits, 1911. $920,145, 1909, 
$144,000. For two years in succession, the district of Prince 
Albert carried off the prize in Red Fyfe for North Saskatchewan 
at Regina; in 1910 at Brandon for all Western Canada. There 
are at present three flour mills grinding about 400 barrels a day. 
One local mill ships a large proportion of its product to Scotland. 

Indian Head. — The largest incorporated town in Saskatche- 
wan, has more elevators than any other town in the Province. 
For some time it enjoyed the distinction of being the largest 
initial wheat-shipping point in the world. The Dominion Gov- 
ernment experimental farm is there. 

Moosomin. — Two hundred and twenty miles west of "Winnipeg 
on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is a flourish- 
ing town surrounded by a rolling prairie country particularly 
adapted to mixed farming. It has a population of 1,200, good 
churches, schools, banks, grain elevators, and waterworks. 

Yorkton. — Two hundred and eighty miles northwest of Win- 
nipeg, on the Canadian Pacific Railway, has within the last five 
years doubled its population. Yorkton ships annually over two 
million bushels of grain and is a very up-to-date town of about 
2,500 inhabitants, with creditable municipal buildings, eight 
wheat elevators, water works, sewerage system, flour mill, saw- 
mill, cement sidewalks, telephone, and a municipal gas plant, 

Wolsely. — Three hundred miles west of Winnipeg, is the west- 



250 Hints to Homeseekers 

em terminus of the Wolsely-Reston branch of the Canadian Pa- 
cific Railway. 

Swift Current. — One hundred and twelve miles west of Moose 
Jaw, is a divisional point of the Canadian Pacific Railway and 
a busy railway town. Today Swift Current is the largest ini- 
tial wheat market on the American continent. Five years ago it 
was thought that the district from a point twenty miles west of 
Moose Jaw to the western boundary of the Province, and south 
to the United States boundary was fitted only for horse ranching, 
cattle and sheep grazing, but now the land is practically all home- 
steaded in every direction from Sv^dft Current. Railway branch 
lines are being extended from Swift Current to the northwest 
and to the southeast through fairly well settled districts. Popu- 
lation, 2,000. 

Battteford. — Population, 1,500 and North Battleford, popula- 
tion, 2,300, as the centres of prosperous communities. These 
towns are so advantageously situated that the Canadian North- 
ern and Grand Trunk Pacific Railways are here building branch 
lines north and south, opening up splendid agricultural districts. 
Considerable rivalry exists between the two towns, both are grow- 
ing finely, and they have every promise of a big future. Efforts 
are now being made to secure branch lines of the Canadian Pa- 
cific Railway. 

Qu'Appelle and Areola are enterprising towns. Among the 
largest incorporated villages in Saskatchewan are Broadview, a 
divisional point on the Canadian Pacific Railway main line ; 
Grenfell, a^so on the main line; Duck Lake, on the Regina- 
Prince Albert branch; Alameda, Balgonie, Lemberg, Lloyd- 
minster, Melfort, Rouleau, and Sintaluta. Portal is the point 
where the Soo Line enters Saskatchewan. Yellow Grass, Mile- 
stone, and Drinkwater are newer towns on the Sod Line, settled 
within the past few years by progressive farmers from the States. 
Important and growing towns on the Grand Trunk Pacific are 
Melville, Watrous, Scott and Nokomis. 



Agricultural Opportunities ' 251 

Maple Greek, for many years the centre of a ranching section, 
has a population of 1,000, and the country around is rapidly 
filling up with settlers. Estevan is noted for its coal mines and 
enjoys direct rail connections with Winnipeg. "Weyburn is a 
prosperous town on the Soo Line of the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
way between Moose Jaw and North Portal and is connected by 
railway with Stoughton, thus furnishing a direct route to the 
east. Rothern, on the Regina-Prince Albert branch of the Cana- 
dian Northern, is in the centre of a good agricultural district. 

A glance at the map will show many another town that has 
sprung into existence in the last couple of years, laying claim to 
population of from 300 to 800. Such are Outlook, Rosetown^ 
Kindersley, Kerrobert, Lanigan, and a score besides. 

Summing Up. — In forming an estimate of the future of Sas- 
katchewan, it is well to remember that this Province lies in the 
same latitude as the British Isles. Denmark, Belgium, and the 
greater part of Germany are as far north as Regina. Edinburgh is 
nearer the top of the map than is any one of the settled parts 
of Saskatchewan. Christiania and St. Petersburg are on the 
sixtieth parallel of latitude, which is the northern boundary of 
this Province. 

The coal areas to the south, and the partially wooded areas 
in the north, provide an ample supply of fuel, while water can 
generally be secured at a reasonable depth. 

SOUTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN. 

One may include in Southeastern Saskatchewan that section 
which lies between Manitoba on the east and the third meridian 
on the west and extending some distance north of the main line 
of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It has more rainfall than that 
farther west and less wood than the portion lying north. In 
character and productiveness of soil, Southeastern Saskatchewan 
is a continuation of Manitoba, but contains more prairie area. 

Soil Almost Inexhaustible. — The possibilities of Southeastern 
Saskatchewan cannot be better shown than by instancing the re- 



252 Hints to Homeseekers 

suits of tests made at the Experimental Farm at Indian Head. 
A dozen distinct varieties of wheat, sown in mid April, were cut 
in 130 days and yielded an average of forty-three bushels to the 
acre. Six reasons may be given for the exceptionally favorable 
conditions awaiting the grower of wheat in Saskatchewan: 
1. The soil is almost inexhaustible in its fertility. 2. The cli- 
mate brings the wheat plant to fruition very quickly. 3. The 
northern latitude gives the wheat more sunshine during the 
period of growth than is furnished by the districts farther south. 
4. Cyclones never occur. 5. Rust is of infrequent occurrence. 
6. Insect foes are unkno^vn. 

There are few homesteads available in this district. The land 
is well occupied by an excellent class of farmers, and land values 
range from $15 per acre to $25 for unimproved farms. 

SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN. 

During the year 1908 the Government opened up for home- 
steading and pre-emption all available lands in Southwestern 
Saskatchewan. The demand for these is great and there is 
market for the adjoining acres held by railway and land com- 
panies. North of the South Saskatchewan River extends an al- 
most level fertile plain. 

Between Regina and Moose Jaw the country is mostly oc- 
cupied by prosperous farmers. In the neighborhood of Moose 
Jaw mixed farming as well as grain raising is carried on with 
success. North and northwest, towards the Saskatchewan, 
there are large settlements of contented and prosperous farm- 
ers. Recent surveys south and southwest have opened a tract 
of land available for homesteading, and the establishment of 
a land office at Moose Jaw makes it easy to inspect the land 
and secure speedy entry. These lands are easily reached from 
Moose Jaw, Mortlach, Herbert, and Swift Current. 

Maple Creek district is an important stock centre and ship- 
ping point for the big ranches to the west and south, some of 
the best sheep, and horses in Canada being raised on the sue- 



AgricuUnral Opportunities 253 

culent grass that here obtains. Here as elsewhere, tlie wheat 
grower and mixed farmer are treading on the heels of the 
ranchman and the cow-puncher. 

West of Swift Current to the Alberta boundary herds of 
cattle roam and largely find for themselves. Snowfall is light 
and winters so mild that hardy animals graze through the 
whole year. The chinook winds from the Pacific are strongly 
felt as far east as Swift Current. Grain growing is being suc- 
cessfully carried on both to the north and south. 

CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN. 

Central Saskatchewan is watered east and west by the main 
Saskatchewan River and by its chief branch, the North Sas- 
katchewan, a great part of whose navigable length lies within 
this section. The surface generally is rolling prairie inter- 
spersed with bluffs of poplar, spruce, and pine, alternating with 
intruding portions of the great plain from the south. In soil 
and climate Central Saskatchewan is well adapted to the rais- 
ing of cattle, wheat and other grains. 

Quite an area of the best land is still open for free home- 
steading, but lies chiefly to the north of the central belt. The 
homesteader in many parts may add to his holdings by pur- 
chasing adjoining land from the land companies of the Can- 
adian Northern, Canadian Pacific Railway, and other corpora- 
tions. These unimproved lands are obtainable at from $15 an 
acre, upwards. 

Districts recently opened for settlement are the Shellbrook^ 
the Beaver River, and Green Lake, into which the Canadian 
Northern Railway is projected. Other new districts are the 
Jack Fish Lake and Turtle Lake, north of Battleford, into 
which the same road is being built. These districts are favor- 
able for grain and cattle raising. North of North Battleford, 
there have recently been surveyed several townships of land,, 
which will not be long without a line of railway and to the 



254 Hints to Homeseekers 

east of these again there is a splendid lot of available home- 
steads. 

NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN. 

Northern Saskatchewan has not yet been opened to any ex- 
tent for settlement. There are approximately eighty million 
acres beyond the railway at Prince Albert, a heritage which 
time, zeal, and railway enterprise will eventually make acces- 
sible to the world. The furs, forest wealth, and fisheries are 
recognized as a national asset, but thousands of acres of fertile 
land lie beyond the existing lines of railway, which await 
future development. Northern Saskatchewan has natural re- 
sources sufficient to maintain a population equal to that of any 
European country in corresponding latitude. 

ALBERTA. 

Alberta, the most westerly of the three Prairie Provinces, is 
twice the size of Great Britain and Ireland, much larger than 
either France or Germany and has a greater area than the 
states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
TJhode Island, Connecticuit, New York, New Jersey and Penn- 
sylvania combined. The area of arable land alone in Alberta 
is placed at one hundred million acres, and this provincial em- 
pire, with its great wealth in agricultural lands, mines, for- 
ests and fisheries, has less than 400,000 people. 

Alberta is a vast sloping plateau from 3,000 to 2,000 feet 
above sea-level, hung by its western edge on the foothills of 
the Rocky Mountains. It slopes gently toward the east and 
north. Absolutely level plains form no great proportion of 
the surface of the country. By far the larger proportion is 
undulating country diversified by forest, stream, liills and open 
country not unlike Ontario or New York State. Beautiful 
lakes fringed with forest and abounding in Avhitefish are scat- 
tered over its Central and Northern area. Everywhere luxuri- 
ant grasses and flowers cover the open country which formed 



AgriciUtural Opportunities 255 

the chief feeding grounds of the innumerable herds of bison 
of the past. 

While open and treeless country characterizes the .southern 
part of the province, great stretches of prairie extend to the 
northern limits to the Hay River and the McKenzie River. The 
prairie of the south passes into woodland to reappear again in 
higher latitudes. In other localities there is an agreeable al- 
teration of woodland and prairie. This character prevails 600 
or 700 miles north of the Saskatchewan River which in course 
of time may be made accessible by railways. 

Rivers. — The province is the source of two of the four great 
river systems of the North American Continent — The Sas- 
katchewan, and the McKenzie. The Saskatchewan is divided 
into two great arteries, one of which with its tributaries, the 
Bow, Belly, St. Mary's, Old Man and Red Deer, waters the 
south, while the north branch, with the Brazeau, Clearwater, 
Sturgeon, Battle, Blindman and Vermilion as tributaries, wa- 
ters the great central plains. The Peace and the Athabaska 
drain the north. Alberta's lakes are chiefly in the northern 
part, there being Lake Athabaska 120 miles long and Lesser 
Slave sixty miles long, and many bodies of water only a few 
acres in extent. 

Railways.— Besides its main line the Canadian Pacific Railway 
has two branches from Calgary — one north to Strathcona, the 
other south to Macleod. Two branches running eastward di- 
verge at Lacombe and Wetaskiwin. Another branch leaves 
the Canadian Pacific Railway main line near Medicine Hat 
passes through Lethbridge and Macleod and crosses the moun- 
tains by the Crow's Nest Pass. A southern line of the Cana- 
dian Pacific will connect Lethbridge with Weyburn, on the 
**Soo" line and when completed will open up a large area of 
splendid agricultural land. Provincial mileage, 1,273. Other 
lines connecting up the branch system are being built. 

The Canadian Northern enters Alberta from the east at 
Lloydminster and crosses the Saskatchewan River at Fort Sas- 



256 Hints to Homeseekers 

katchewan on its way to the capital, Edmouton. From Ed- 
monton this pioneer road has lines projected and partially con- 
structed north and west, and also one starting at Vegreville to 
connect its main line with Calgary, and then extended south- 
easterly toward Lethbridge and Macleod. Mileage in the Pro- 
vince, 393. 

The Grand Trunk Pacific trans-continental system serves the 
territory lying between the Canadian Northern and the Cana- 
dian Pacific Railway, operating trains through a fertile and 
productive territory. This Company has also completed a line 
south from Tofield to Calgary. Provincial mileage, 445. 

From Lethbridge the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Com- 
pany's line runs south to the international boundary, and a 
branch southwesterly from Stirling. 

Another road is under construction running northward from 
the international boundary through Pincher, with Calgary as 
a northern terminus. 

In addition to this the government has outlined a policy of 
railway development throughout the province in general, and 
the north country in particular, which is rich in natural re- 
sources and possesses agricultural land which attracts those 
settlers desirous of taking up free homestead land not to be 
found now to a large extent in other parts of the province. 

There are settlements all along the various lines, and adjoin- 
ing the available homesteads are farm lands open to purchase 
from the railways, land companies, and private owners at 
reasonable prices and on easy terms. Total railway mileage, 
January, 1912, 2,111. 

The building of highways between all important points has 
become a matter of great interest to the local Government. A 
million dollars will be spent this year in the construction of 
roads and bridges. 

Cities and Totv7is of Alherta. — High up on the banks of the 
Saskatchewan and forming the portal alike to the Last West 
and the New North, the capital city of Edmonton has attrac- 



Agricultural Opportunities 257 

tions for the capitalist, the tourist, the manufacturer, and the 
seeker for health. Located in the centre of two great trans- 
continental highways, within a decade Edmonton will be rated 
among the world 's great ones. Traffic from the Pacific to Hud- 
son Bay will go through her portals, the south will contribute, 
and the trade of the Great North country is hers, alone. Pos- 
sessed of her own waterworks, electric-lighting and power sys- 
tems street railway, telephones, the city is modern, attractive, 
and instinct with growing life. Fifteen banks are evidence of 
prosperity, with their clearinghouse totals of over 122 million 
dollars a year, as compared with fifty million dollars in 1909, 
Edmonton occupies the tenth place in the cities of the Domin- 
ion. The erection of the Parliament buildings, substantial 
postoffice, new court house, with large pork-packing plants, 
and other solid buildings are unmistakable signs of faith and 
works, and each year emphasises her right to her distinctive 
municipal motto — -^ ' Industry, Energy, and Enterprise. ' ' Build- 
ing permits in Edmonton in 1911 amounted to three million dol- 
lars as against two million in 1910. Population, according to 
census 1911, 24,882, which with Strathcona now added, is in- 
creased to 30,000. Edmonton recently added the city of 
Strathcona with its Provincial University. 

Calgary has written its own story in public and permanent 
buildings along its substantial streets. It has over one hun- 
dred wholesale establishments, 300 retail stores, fifteen char- 
tered banks, and half a hundred manufacturing establishments, 
a Young Men's Christian Association Hall costing $40,000, and 
a $150,000 normal school building. The chief streets are paved. 
There is municipal ownership of server system, waterworks, and 
electric light. The gravity water system, which carries a 
supply sufficient for a city of 200,000 people, cost about 
$350,000. Directly bearing upon the future of Calgary is the 
irrigation project of the Bow River Valley, where three million 
acres are being colonized. On this work already over eight mil- 
lion dollars has been expended, and there are in active operation 
17 



258 Hints to Homeseekers 

1,200 miles of canals and laterals. Population according to 
census 1911 was 43,736. Building permits in 1911 amounted to 
twelve and three-quarters million dollars or more than double 
those of 1910. Bank clearings 1911, $219,245,879, as compared 
evidenced by the establishment of the Canadian Pacific car shops, 
to employ about 2,000 men. It has the Canadian Pacific, Cana- 
dian Northern and Grand Trunk Pacific. 

Lethbridge, with a population of about 10,000 is a prosper- 
ous coal-mining and commercial town in Southern Alberta. 
The output of the mines finds a ready market in British Colum- 
bia, in Montana, and as far east as "Winnipeg. A Government 
Experimental Farm near Lethbridge demonstrates what are 
the best grains to be grown and how to grow them. The 
hardier varieties of summer and fall apples can be successfully 
grown. Bank clearings 1911, $28,530,298. Building permits 
were over one million dollars. Four lines of railway assist in 
making it an important railway centre. The World's "Dry 
Farming" Congress for 1912 was held at Lethbridge. 

Medicine Hat, situated in the valley of the South Saskatche- 
wan, is the centre of a magnificent ranching and mixed-farm- 
ing district. It is a divisional point, with extensive railway 
shops all operated by natural gas. The light, heat, and power, 
derived from natural gas, is sold to manufacturers at five cents 
per thousand cubic feet, and for domestic purposes at one cent. 
Building permits in 1911 were nearly half a million dollars; 
population upwards of 6,000. 

Wetaskiwin is a railway divisional point from which stretch 
farms in all directions. The location of the city, near the 
Peace Hills, is very beautiful. Wetaskiwin owns its electric 
light plant, and a system of waterAvorks and sewerage. Ray- 
mond, in Southern Alberta, has had a rapid growth. A sugar 
factory is the chief industry. Red Deer is situated on the 
Canadian Pacific, half way between Calgary and Edmonton, 
many of its citizens being formerly Americans. There is operated 
here a large sawmill, two brick-yards, concrete works, cream- 



Agricultural Opportunities 259 

eries, wheat elevators, and a sash-and-door factory. Coal and 
wood are plentiful and cheap. The district has never had a 
crop failure, and blizzards are unknown. Lacombe is on the 
direct line between Calgary and Edmonton. It has a flour 
mill, foundry, planing-mill, brick-yard, grain elevators, electric 
lights, and telephones. The country surrounding is noted for 
its pure-bred cattle and horses, and a Government Experi- 
mental Farm adjoins the town. 

Macleod and Cardston give promise of substantial growth. 
Other towns that are doing well and in their air of prosperity 
give the stamp to the surrounding farming country are Clares- 
holm, Didsbury, Fort Saskatchewan, High River, Innisfail, 
Olds, Okotoks, Pincher Creek, Ponoka, St. Albert, Vermilion, 
Vegreville, Carmangay, Stettler, Taber, Tofield, Camrose, Wain- 
wright, and, now a good deal of interest is being taken in Atha- 
baska Landing on account of the agricultural settlement that is 
under way, and the completion of the Canadian Northern to that 
point. 

GROW^TH OF ALBERTA. 

1901 

Population 73,022 

Horses 93,001 

Milch cows 46,295 

Other horned cattle 329,391 

Sheep 80,055 

Hogs 46,163 

Cultivated farms in Alberta 

Increase in population in ten years was 413 per cent. 

Soil and Products. — Alberta has a wealth and diversity of 
natural products. A great proportion of the land is undulat- 
ing prairie, well watered, and covered with a deep, black loam, 
in many places four and five feet in thickness, whose fertility 
and depth give it a growing power practically inexhaustible. 
Allowing that one-half of the surface of the Province is taken 
up with lake, timber lands, and second-quality soil, a con- 
servative estimate gives eighty million acres of first-class wheat 
land in Alberta. This would allow a 160-acre farm each to 



1906 


1908 


1909 


1911 


185,412 


265,820 


273,859 


374,663 


226,534 


246.922 


263,713 




101,245 


110.357 


116.371 




849,387 


934,326 


910,547 




154,266 


161,979 


171,422 




114,623 


115,769 


139,270 
45,000 





260 Hints to Homeseekers 

half a million farmers, making possible for the future an agri- 
cultural population of two and one-half million souls. 

For tJte Settle?'. — It is to the problems of agricultural educa- 
tion and railway extension that Alberta lawmakers are first 
addressing themselves. The formation of agricultural societies 
is encouraged, the dissemination of exact scientific knowledge 
is carried on by means of farmers' institutes, stock-judging 
schools, seed fairs, and traveling dairies. The raising of pure- 
bred stock is assisted by government grants. Experimental 
farms have been established through the Province, the idea 
being to convince the farmers that m|ixed farming is. more 
profitable than all grain raising. The teaching of scientific 
farming has the greatest attention, and it is thought that it 
will not be long before agricultural high schools will be 
started, while agriculture will form part of the curriculum of 
the public schools. 

The age of progress demands the formation of municipalities 
and this it is expected will shortly be brought about, whereby 
a certain number of residents under certain conditions may 
form a municipality, when they will have the power to issue 
debentures for permanent improvements. It is equitable to 
have the future generation pay for a share of the improvements 
they enjoy, and secondly to lessen the demand upon current 
revenue. 

Educational Facilities. — A system of free public schools has 
been established. The organization of districts is optional 
with the settlers, the Government liberally supporting all pub- 
lic schools. School population at end of 1911, 46,048 ; number 
of schools, 1,254. The University of Alberta has been estab- 
lished by the Provincial Government and will afford every op- 
portunity for higher education, while there are preparatory 
schools at Calgary, Lethbridge and other towns. 

Poultry Bainng. — In a country where the winter price of fresh 
eggs ranges from fifty to sixty cents a dozen, and where the sum- 
mer price rarely falls below twenty-five cents, extensive develop- 



Agricultural Opportunities 261 

ments along this profitable line of mixed farming cannot be long 
delayed. 

Dairying. — The dairy industry is destined to assume consid- 
erable proportions in Alberta. In the creameries operated by 
the Government for the farmers, over two one one-half million 
pounds of butter were produced in 1910, which, sold at an aver- 
age of twenty-five cents per pound, gives an estimated value of 
about $600,000. Butter from private dairies gave $250,000; 
cheese factories, $28,000, a grand total of dairy products of 
$880,000. Local conditions prevail for the dairy herd — abun- 
dance of feed, good water, and healthful climate. In sparsely 
settled districts the Government sends a traveling dairy for in- 
struction. 

Handling the Grain. — In 1905, Alberta's elevators had a ca- 
pacity of 1,715,000 bushels ; in 1911, the capacity was over 9 
million bushels. Such is the history of progress throughout all 
Central Canada. In 1909, there were 1,100 threshing outfits in 
the Province. 

Stock. — Alberta is the Kentucky of Canada with regard to 
horse breeding. Its high altitude, dry and invigorating atmos- 
phere, short and mild winters, its nutritious grasses and inex- 
haustible supply of clear, cold water, make it pre-eminently 
adapted for horse breeding, and the Alberta animal is noted 
for its endurance, lung power and freedom from hereditary 
and other diseases. Nearly all the breeds of horses known are 
represented on the farms and ranches. Horses winter out at 
a nominal expense and without grain or even hay feeding. Al- 
berta is now supplying the province of British Columbia and 
the Yukon Territory with beef, as well as providing for a large 
export trade to the Old Country. 

Four-year-old range steers which have never been under a 
roof nor fed a pound of grain, and less than a ton of hay, 
weigh about 1,500 pounds by the first of August and if allowed 
to run till October go as high as 1,650 pounds. 

Telephones. — The province owns and operates its own tele- 



262 Hints to Homeseekers 

phones. Long distance mileage. 3,500 miles; rural lines, 2,500 
miles; number of subscribers, 1,030. It has 1,700 telephones 
and a capital outlay of $3,800,000. 

Mineral Resources. — Alberta has enormous coal and lignite 
areas, the production of coal in 1911 being over three million tons, 
values at over seven and one-half million dollars. The settlement 
of the country, together with the great railway construction, will 
mean a rapid increase in coal consumption. Its coal supply is 
practically inexhaustible, and underlies much of the whole pro- 
vince in seams from four to twelve feet thick, to be found in out- 
croppings on the banks of every .stream and in shafts from twenty 
to 150 feet deep. All grades are found, lignite, bituminous and 
anthracite. The total formation contains not less than 12,800 
square miles and has an estimated content of 71,000,000,000 
tons. 

Natural gas, under heavy pressure, has been found at Medi- 
cine Hat, Dunmore Junction, and Bow Island on the South 
Saskatchewan, and at Pelican Rapids on the Athabaska. Ex- 
cellent indications of the existence of petroleum have been 
found both in the south near the British Columbia boundary, 
and in the north in the vicinity of Fort McMurray and south- 
ward, and it is confidently expected that important commercial 
oil fields will soon be located. 

Fish. — The Great Lakes of the North furnish yearly half a 
million pounds of incomparable white fish, while the fur 
wealth of the North is an important asset. 

The Province naturally falls into three divisions, exhibiting 
marked distinctions in climatic and typographical conditions — 
Southern, Central, and Northern Alberta. 

SOUTHERN ALBERTA. 

Southern Alberta is open and rolling, and devoid of timber 
except along the streams and the Rocky Mountain foot-hills. 
The soil is a fertile loam. The climate is ideal, with pleasing 
summers and mild winters. Stock pasture in the open air dur- 



Agricultural Opportunities 263 

ing winter, grazing on the nutritive sun-dried grasses. The 
absence of timber in Southern Alberta is compensated for by 
the supply of coal. 

For years this district was almost entirely a horse and cat- 
tle country, but now winter wheat is pushing the cowboy back, 
the range being rapidly converted into fields of grain and 
areas of sugar-beets. With the introduction of "Alberta Red," 
a new era was ushered in for Avinter wheat. Sown on new 
breaking or summer-fallowed land from the middle of July to 
the end of September, winter wheat is ready for the reaper 
from the first to the fifteenth of August in the following year. 
Climate and soil combine to make Southern Alberta the ideal 
district for the growth of this cereal. Considerable spring 
wheat is also grown, and for sugar-beet growing it compares 
favorably with Germany and the world. 

The total acreage of winter wheat for the Province in 1911, 
according to Dominion census figures, was 317,000, the average 
yield being twenty-five bushels an acre, and by far greater por- 
tion of this was grown in Southern Alberta. Around Lethbridge, 
Taber, Grassy Lake, Cardston, Spring Coulee, Pinche Creek, 
Macleod, Stavely, Leavitt, Claresholm, Nanton, High River, 
Okotoks and Calgary, winter wheat is grown. This wheat is 
in great demand on account of its milling qualities. 

Water Supply and Irrigation. — Water for domestic and farm 
purposes is easily obtained at reasonable depth, and with an 
intelligent system of cultivation, aimed to make the best use 
of the rainfall, no fear need be entertained of shortage of 
moisture. In order to make sure that there would be no 
danger from this source, however, a number of irrigation 
ditches have been constructed. 

In certain sections of the Canadian West as well as in the 
American West, there is a portion of the country in which the 
soil is the very best for the growing of cereals, but the geo- 
graphical locations and relative positions to the rain avenues, 
do not give the advantage that other parts possess in the mat- 



264 Hints to Homeseekers 

ter of precipitation. It is now ascertained that it is not alto- 
gether the number of inches of rain that is essential to the 
growing of crops, but its conservation, and that is the meaning 
of "dry farming." "Dry farming" may well be applied to 
districts where there is a heavy rainfall, and better results 
will follow. This system is being successfully followed in the 
southern portion of Southern Alberta. There are also por- 
tions of that district that can be easily and successfully farmed 
by means of irrigation. The Canadian Pacific Railway and 
the Southern Alberta Land Company have brought a large 
area under irrigation. The lands thus affected have increased 
considerably in value and find a ready market at from $25.00 
to $35.00 an acre and upwards. 

CENTRAL ALBERTA. 

Central Alberta extends from the Red Deer River north- 
ward to the height of land between the Saskatchewan and the 
Athabaska. Hill and vale, clothed in grass and flowers, and 
dotted with spruce and aspen, mark this as the ideal land for 
the homes of a cultured people. Its great wealth is its dower 
of deep black humus varying in depth from ten inches to three 
feet, which overlies a warm sub-soil. 

The Grains Groivn. — "Winter wheat and spring wheat are 
raised successfully. Dominion census figures give the spring 
wheat acreage for 1911 for the Province as 1,300,000 as com- 
pared with 304,000 in 1909. By far the greater portion of this 
was in Central Alberta. The area of oats under crop, accord- 
ing to authority above quoted, in 1911, was 1,178,000 acres as 
compared with 820,000 in 1909 ; yields of up to 100 bushels to 
the acre are recorded, the average being placed at forty-eight 
bushels by the Dominion government. Up to sixty "bushels is the 
farmer's justified expectation, and Alberta already advocates a 
standard grade of oats calling for forty-two pounds to the 
bushel, as against the legal weight of thirty-two pounds in the 
Republic to the south. 



AgriciUtiii^al Opportunities 265 

Barley is a successful crop, about twenty-seven bushels to the 
acre being the average of 1911. Acreage was 156,000. Flax and 
native hay are standard crops. 

Neiv Territory Opened. — West and north of Edmonton, a ter- 
ritory being made accessible by the Grand Trunk Pacific and 
the Canadian Northern, there is an immense stretch of splendid 
country, in which there are available a large number of home- 
steads. Wheat and oats are certain crops. Wonderful yields 
of the latter are reported. The rainfall is certain and sure. 
Mixed farming can be carried on most successfully. The wild 
grasses and the pea vine are there in such profusion that there 
is always an ample supply of feed for stock, while water is 
convenient, plentiful, and easy to secure. The Stony Plain and 
Morinville districts are rapidly coming into prominence. On 
into the foothills and the mountains are splendid stretches of 
prairie land, through which the Grand Trunk Pacific is now 
constructed. 

During the past year there was laid out three million acres of 
new land to the north, northeast, and northwest of Edmonton 
— practically all the unsubdivided land between Edmonton 
and Athabaska Landing — and between Edmonton and Lac la 
Biche to the northeast and along the main line of the Grand 
Trunk Pacific and north of that line. 

Game. — Game is plentiful and varied. Ducks, prairie chickens, 
swans, geese, cranes, waveys, partridge, snipe, and plover af- 
ford excellent sport to the gunshot. Moose are obtainable in 
the north, with cariboo and red and blacktailed deer. Wolves, 
foxes, bears, with the badger, muskrat, martin, mink, otter, 
ermine, and wolverine furnish a fur supply which runs well 
up into large money value each winter. 

More about the ''Park" District. — The northern and western 
portions of Central Alberta has some brush, and frequently 
this land is avoided, the preference being for the open prairie. 
But those who have taken up what is termed "brush" land find 
they have a soil fully as good as that of the open prairie. They 



266 Hints to Ilomeseehers 

think it better, the cost of clearing is slight, and they have the 
advantage of shelter, for cattle and an absolute assurance of 
splendid water at a reasonable depth. To these people the tree- 
less prairie is a boon, for the cost of clearing their land is re- 
duced — since there is now a ready market for the by-product 
formerly burnt up as useless. Eighty-five carloads of willow 
pickets were loaded at Leduc and shipped to the south and east. 
Farmers get two cents each for a willow picket with a two- 
inch top. Tamarac posts sell for seven cents for seven-foot length 
or at the rate of one cent per foot. 

No Miasma. — Central Alberta's water supply is ample. None 
of the miasma of malaria exudes from this soil, and so ague 
and kindred troubles are unknown. No country in the world 
is healthier or more attractive. 

NORTHERN ALBERTA. 

Far north of the end of steel extends seventy-five per cent of 
this rich Province, a heritage as yet unexploited. "When the rail- 
ways push into the Athabaska and the Place, it will be realized 
that Alberta owns an Empire north of the Saskatchewan. This 
district has been set apart by Nature to provide homes for 
millions of agrarian people when the plains to the south are 
filled up. 

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, on the first of January, 
1912, reports as follows : 

I have worked out a table as given below which will give as 
correct an estimate of the season's crops as it is possible to 
give at the present time. \ 

• . Total 

Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate 

in June in the PaU Yield Yield 

Acres. Acres. per Acre. • Bushels. 

Winter wheat 183.444 175,000 18 Bu. 3,150.000 

Spring wheat 672,754 650,000 20 Bu. 13,000,000 

Oats 705,345 690,000 35 Bu. 24.150,000 

Barley 123,247 120,000 30 Bu. 3,600.000 

Flax 40,343 35,000 7 Bu. 245,000 

Rye, Speltz, etc 30,000 20 Bu. 600,000 

44,745,000 



Agricultural Opportunities 26T 

Total Yield 
of Grain. 

1907. 14,588,552 

1908 25,073,147 

1909 36,761,493 

1910 22,027.184 

1911 44,745,000 

BRITISH COLUMBIA. 

Stretching from the Rockies to the sea and from the United 
States to the sixtieth parallel, British Columbia is the largest 
Province in the Dominion. It is big enough to enable one to 
place in it, side by side at the same time, two Englands, three 
Irelands, and four Scotlands. Looking across the water to the 
millions of British subjects in India, in Hong-Kong, in Au- 
stralia, and the isles of the sea, one catches brief pathetic 
glimpses of the commercial greatness which the Pacific has 
begun to waft to these shores. Nature intended British Colum- 
bia to develop a great seaward commerce, and substantial trade 
relations are now established northward to the Yukon and south- 
ward to Mexico. Population, June, 1911, 392,480. 

British Columbia has natural wealth in her forests and her 
fish, in her whales and seals and fruit farms. But it is from 
her mines, more than from aught else, that she will derive her 
future wealth. 

The parallel chains of the Rockies, the Selkirks, and the 
Coast Range are a rich dower. They furnish scenery unrivalled 
in its majesty; they are nurseries of great rivers which pour 
tribute into three oceans ; and in their rocky embrace they hold 
a mineral wealth second to none. 

British Columbia contains an aggregate of from sixteen mil- 
lion to twenty million unoccupied arable acres. Sir William 
Dawson has estimated that in the British Columbia section of the 
Peace River Valley alone, the wheat-growing area will amount 
to ten million acres. It is a country of big things. 

Rivers. — All the great rivers flowing into the Pacific, with the 
exception of the Colorado, have their sources within the 



"268 Hints lo Honieseekers 

boundaries of this Province. The most important of these are 
the Columbia, which has a course of 600 miles in British Co- 
lumbia; the Fraser, 750 miles long; the Skeena, 300 miles long; 
the Thompson, the Kootenay, the Stikine, the Liard, and the 
Peace. These rivers with their tributaries drain an area of 
one-tenth of the whole of the North American continent. The 
lake area aggregates one and one-half million acres. 

A Rich Province. — British Columbia coal measures are suffi- 
cient to supply the world for centuries. It possesses the great- 
est compact area of merchantable timber in the world. The 
mines are in the early stages of their development, and yet 
they have already produced over $275,000,000. The fisheries 
return an average annual yield of $7,500,000. 

British Columbia's trade, per head of population, is the 
largest in the world. The chief exports are salmon, coal, gold, 
silver, copper, lead, timber, masts and spars, furs and skins, 
whale-oil, sealskins, hops, and fruit. An inter-provincial trade 
ivith Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the eastern prov- 
inces is developing, British Columbia fruit finding a ready and 
lucrative market there. 

Railivays. — ^The Canadian Pacific Railway maintains two main 
lines, the Canadian Pacific Railway proper and Crow's Nest 
Pass Railway, and several branches making connection with 
United States railway systems. It also employs a fleet of sev- 
enteen coastwise steamers. Its Empress liners make regular 
trips to China and Japan. The Canadian- Australian liners give 
service to Hawaii, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. 

The Grand Trunk Pacific, which will traverse Canada from 
the Pacific terminal, Prince Rupert, to Moncton, New Bruns- 
wick, is prosecuting work on its line from Prince Rupert east- 
ward. This railway will open to settlement a vast area rich 
in timber, minerals, and agricultural soil. 

The Great Northern enters the province at points on the 
boundary and the Canadian Northern has completed arrange- 
ments for construction to Vancouver. The combined railway 



Agricultural OpportnnilKs 269 

mileage of the province is 1,600 miles, being one mile of track 
for each 250 square miles of area. 

Climate.— The Japan current and the moisture-bearing winds 
from the Pacific, exercise a moderating influence on the climate 
of the coast and provide a copious rainfall. The climate of 
British Columbia, as a whole, presents all the conditions to be 
met with in European countries lying within the Temperate 
Zone. Pure air, absence of extremes in temperature, freedom 
from malaria, make British Columbia one vast sanitarium. 
British Columbia is essentially the scenic province. Scarcely 
a farmhouse in all the valley regions is without a view of ma- 
jestic mountains. 

Mining. — British Columbia has been pertinently called "The 
Mineral Province," a title justified by the fact that in 1907 her 
production of gold, silver, copper, lead, and coal amounted to 
sixty-four per cent of the combined output of the other eight 
provinces of Canada. 

The Soil and Its Products. — British Columbia is so large that 
one has to explore it beyond the highway of the railroad to 
discover its agricultural and economic possibilities. Professor 
Macoun says, "The whole of British Columbia south of fifty- 
two degrees and east of the Coast Range is a grazing country 
up to 3,500 feet, and a farming country up to 2,500 feet where 
irrigation is possible. 

As far north as fifty-five degrees excellent apples flourish, 
and in the southern belt the more delicate fruits, peaches, 
grapes, and apricots can be reared. Some stretches of the best 
agricultural land extend over areas as follows : 

Nicola, Similkameen and Kettle River Valleys 350,000 acres. 

Okanagan 250,000 

Lillooet and Caribou 200,000 

East and West Kootenay 125,000 

North and South Thompson "Valley 75,000 

West of the Coast Range stretch tracts of land, notably the 
lower Frazer Valley, Westminster district, Vancouver Island, 
and adjacent islands in the Gulf of Georgia. The opportuni- 
ties for profitable diversified farming are practically unlimited. 



270 Hints to Homeseekers 

Fruit Growing. — A small exhibit of British Columbia fruit 
sent to England in 1904 captured the gold medal of the Royal 
Horticultural Societ3^ A car lot exhibited in London in 1905 
won the first prize from all competitors. At least 1,000,000 
acres south of fifty-two degrees will produce all the fruits of 
the temperate zone. 

The recognized fruit districts include the southern part of 
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, Lower Frazer Valley, 
Thompson Valley, Shuswap Lake, Okanagan, Osoyoos, Simil- 
kameen, Upper Columbia Valley, Kootenay Lake, Arrow Lake, 
Lower Columbia, Grand Forks, Nicola and Grand Prairie. 

The fruit shipments of 1908 gave an increase of 1,700 tons 
over 1907. Over a million and a half fruit trees were imported 
during 1911. At Kelowna ten tons of prunes per acre is not 
an uncommon crop. On the Coldstream Ranch, near Vernon, 
twenty acres produced $10,000 worth of Northern Spy apples. 
At Peachland an acre and a half of peaches gave a return of 
^700. A cherry tree at Agassiz produced 1,000 pounds of fruit. 
There are now over 100,000 acres in orchard lands. 

Agriculture. — "The agriculture of a country depends," says 
F. M. Logan, B. S. A., "upon its climate; British Columbia's 
agriculture must of necessity be varied. On Vancouver and 
the other islands adjacent to the west coast, there is less rain- 
fall and less snow than in the lower valley of the Fraser, just 
a few miles distant. Other atmospheric conditions also differ. 
The great valleys of the interior boast of a climate altogether 
different from that of either district. Each has is own agri- 
culture, with all the peculiarities pertaining to its climatic and 
topographical conditions, as well as to transportation facilities. 

"On Vancouver Island there are no extensive tracts of good 
farming land so the farms are essentially small ; one hundred 
acres under cultivation would be above the average size. The 
majority of these farms are occupied by recent settlers of the 
well-to-do class, principally from England. Some of these men 
are thrifty, progressive, ready to adopt Canadian ways, and 



AgricuUural Opportunities 271 

are making a success of farming in what might be called a 
small way. The better farmers of this district or division of the 
province devote their efforts to what might be called diversi- 
fied farming. They nearly all keep a few cows, pigs, sheep and 
poultry, and have a small area planted to fruit. 

"Dairy products are in great demand in Victoria, and pro- 
ducers get as high as two dollars per hundred pounds for their 
milk, and corresponding prices for cream and butter. Pork is 
always in good demand, as is also lamb and mutton. 

"Small fruits and certain varieties of apples, pears and 
plums do well on these islands, and usually find a ready local 
market. 

"The Fraser River valley is one of the most productive areas 
in the world. For about seventy miles up the river there are 
farms along its banks which yield their owners revenues from 
$4,000 to $7,000 a year. About 300,000 acres of this land was 
reclaimed, now worth from $100 to $1,000 an acre. As much 
as five tons of hay, 120 bushels of oats, twenty tons of potatoes, 
and fifty tons of roots have been raised per acre." 

Speaking of the interior country, a magazine writer says: 
"A book could be written about this wonderful territory 
among the mountains. Thirty years ago, the agriculture of 
this vast region consisted in a few hundred cattle. Twenty 
years ago there were several thousands, but today, the fertile 
acres over which they roamed, unmolested, are producing the 
unexcelled fruit which has made British Columbia famous. 
The old rancher, with his ten or twenty thousand acres and 
his uncounted herds of cattle and horses has almost disap- 
peared. The eight great ranches of the Okanagan Valley have 
been bought up by syndicates who have divided them into five, 
ten and twenty-acre farms; and where this land a few years 
ago supported one owner and a few cowboys, it now maintains 
a whole settlement, with an income fifty times that previously 
obtained. 

"The whole nature of this country has been changed by 



272 Hints to Homeseekers 

methods of modern agriculture. Water has been carried from 
the mountain streams by pipe lines running from five to fifty 
miles, and then distributed by a network of small ditches and 
furrows to the trees, shrubs, vines and flowers of this wonder- 
ful valley, which some day will be the garden spot of all Can- 
ada. 

' ' In the Cariboo district and the territory north of the Cana- 
dian Pacific Railway a great country will be opened up by the 
Canadian Northern and the Grand Trunk Pacific Railways. 
Much of this country is too cold for successful fruit-growing, 
but is well suited for live stock and the growing of roots, vege- 
tables and grains. 

"There is another farming district, quite different from any 
I have mentioned, in what is popularly known as the Koote- 
nays. Here the rainfall is greater, and irrigation is little 
needed. Then, there is the Columbia Valley, of which the world 
knows nothing, but possessing sufficient value to warrant the 
building of a railway south from Golden, on the main line of 
the Canadian Pacific Railway. There are thousands of acres 
along the International Boundary awaiting irrigation and 
transportation. In all this great, undeveloped country there is 
room for thousands of sturdy settlers." 



Agricidhiral Opportunities 



273 



RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 

The following is a list of the various Scientific Bureaus of the U. S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, and the Agricultural 
Experiment Stations in the various states of the Union. Any of these 
Bureaus or Experiment Stations may he freely consulted at any time. 
Most of the publications are for free distribution and no one should 
hesitate to write for any desired information along agricultural lines. 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Scientific Bureaus. 

Weather Bureau — Willis L. Moore, Chief. 
Bureau of Animal Industry — A. D. Melvin, Chief. 
Bureau of Plant Industry — B. T. Galloway, Chief. 
Forest Service — H. S. Graves, Forester. 
Bureau of Soils — Milton Whitney, Chief. 
Bureau of Chemistry — R. E. Doolittle, Acting Chief. 
Bureau of Statistics — V. H. Olmsted, Statistician. 
Bureau of Entomology — L. O. Howard, Entomologist. 
Bureau of Biological Survey — H. W. Henshaw, Chief. 
Office of Public Roads — L. W. Page, Director. 



Office of Experiment Stations — A. C. True, Director. 



THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



Alabama — 

College Station: Atiburji; J. F. 

Duggar.i 
Canebrake Station: Uniontown; 

L. H. Moore.i 
Tuskegee Station: Tuskegee In- 
stitute; G. W. Carver. 1 
Alaska — Sitka: C. C. Georgeson.- 
Arizona — Tucson: R. H. Forbes. i 
Arkansas — Fayetteville: C. F. 

Adams. 1 
California — Berkeley: T. F. 
Hunt.i 



Colorado — Fort Collins: C. P. Gil- 
lette. i 

Connecticut — 

State Station: ISIew Haven; E. 

H. Jenkins. 1 
Storrs Station: Storrs ; . 

Delaware — Xewark: H. Hay- 
ward. i 

Florida — Gainesville : V . H. Rolfs. i 

Georgi.\ — Experiment: Martin V. 
Calvin. 1 

Guam — Island of Guam: J. B. 
Thompson. ' 



1 Director. 
18 



- Special agent in charge. 



274 



Hints to Homeseehers 



Hawaii — • 
Federal Station: Honolulu; E. 

V. Wilcox.^ 
Sugar Planters' Station: Hono- 
lulu; C. F. Eckart.2 
Idaho — Moscow: W. L. Carlyle.i 
Illinois — Urbana: E. Davenport.i 
Indiana — La Fayette: A. Goss.i 
Iowa — Ames: C. F. Curtiss.i 
Kansas — Manhattan: E. H. Web- 

ster.i 
Kentucky — Lexington: J. H. Kas- 

tle.i 
Louisiana — 

State Station: Baton Rouge; W. 

R. Dodson.i 
Sugar Station: Auduhon Park, 

New Orleans; W. R. Dodson.i 
North La. Station: Calhoun; W. 

R. Dodson.i 
Maine — Orono: C. D. Woods. i 
Maryland — College Park: H. J. 

Patterson. 1 
Massachusetts — Amherst: W. P. 

Brooks.i 
Michigan — East Lansing: R. S. 

Shaw.i 
Minnesota — University Farm, St. 

Paul: A. F. Woods.i 
Mississippi — Agricultural College : 

E. R. Lloyd. 1 
Missouri — 

College Station: Columbia; F. 

B. Mumford.i 
Fruit Station: Mountain Grove; 

Paul Evans. 1 
Montana — Bozeman: F. B. Lin- 

field.i 
Nebraska — Lincoln: E. A. Bur- 

nett.i 
Nevada — Reno: G. H. True.i 
New Hampshire — Durham: J. C. 

Kendall.i 
New Jersey — New Brunswick: J. 

G. Lipman.i 
New Mhixico — State College: Luth- 
er Foster. 1 
New York — 

State Station: Geneva; W. H. 

Jordan. 1 



Cornell Station: Ithaca; L. H. 
Bailey.i 
North Carolina — 

College Station: West Raleigh; 
B. W. Kilgore.i 

State Station: Raleigh; B. W. 
Kilgore.i 
North Dakota — Agricultural Col- 
lege: J. H. Worst.! 
Ohio — Wooster: C. E. Thorne.i 
Oklahoma — Stillwater: J. A. Wil- 
son. i 
Oregon — Corvallis: J. Withy- 
combe. i 
Pennsylvania — • 

State College: R. L. Watts.3 
State College: Institute of Ani- 
mal Nutrition, H. P. Armsby.i 

Porto Rico — 

Federal Station: Mayaguez; D. 

W. May.- 
Sugar Planters' Station: Rio 

Piedras; J. T. Crawley.i 

Rhode Island — Kingston: . 

South Carolina — Clemson Col- 
lege: J. N. Harper.i 

South Dakota — Brookings: J. W. 
Wilson. 1 

Tennessee — Enoxville: H. A. Mor- 
gan.i 

Texas — College Station: B. Young- 
blood.i 

Utah— Lofiran: E. D. Ball.i 

Vermont — Burlington: J. L. 
Hills.i 

Virginia— 

Blackshurg: S. W. Fletcher.i 
Norfolk: Truck Station, T. C. 
/Johnson. 1 

Washington — Pullman: R. W. 
Thatcher.i 

West Virginia — Morgantown: E. 
D. Sanderson. 1. 

Wisconsin — Madison: H. L. Rus- 
sell. i 

Wyoming — Laramie: H. G. 
Knight.i 



1 Director. - Special agent in charge, s Acting director. 



am 23 iy!3 



